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Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has sharply criticized the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, arguing that the process denied her colleague a fair hearing and undermined the integrity of Ghana’s judicial system.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office on Monday, September 1, 2025, under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution. A statement from the presidency explained that the decision followed the recommendation of a committee established under Article 146(6) to investigate a petition filed by a citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori. The removal took immediate effect.
But speaking in an interview with TV3 on Tuesday, September 2, Madam Akuffo described the process as mishandled and unjust.
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“She did not get a fair trial. Even though it is not a trial strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial,” she said.
On April 22, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Justice Torkornoo after a prima facie case was established against her based on three undisclosed petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
Following constitutional procedure, the President—after consulting the Council of State—formed a five-member inquiry panel chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. Other members included Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah-Dzisah.
During the investigation, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior Supreme Court judge, was appointed acting Chief Justice.
The suspension triggered widespread outrage within Ghana’s legal and civil society circles. The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) condemned the move as unconstitutional, citing a failure to publish regulations to justify the exercise of presidential discretion, as required by Article 296.
Similarly, the Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) denounced the suspension as a violation of judicial independence, raising concerns over the impartiality of the inquiry panel, which it described as politically skewed and lacking transparency.
Justice Torkornoo herself has rejected the allegations, describing both the suspension and subsequent removal as “arbitrary,” “cruel,” and unconstitutional. She has refused to resign, insisting that stepping down would amount to yielding to a flawed process and forfeiting her right to defend herself.
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also echoed these criticisms, warning that the President’s actions set a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s democracy and judicial independence.
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