Associate Professor at the University of Ghana School of Law, Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua, has moved to allay public fears over a potential judicial crisis following the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
His comments come in the wake of President John Dramani Mahama’s April 22, 2025, decision to suspend the Chief Justice after a prima facie case was established from three separate petitions seeking her removal.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua assured the public that the 1992 Constitution contains adequate safeguards to ensure the continuity of judicial operations in such situations.
“I’m not sure that justice delivery will be affected so much because the constitution makes room for somebody to stand in for the Chief Justice when such a situation arises. So we have the most senior Supreme Court judge who will stand in during the period until the matter is resolved,” he explained.
He further noted that any cases previously presided over by the suspended Chief Justice would be reassigned or handled under the supervision of the acting Chief Justice.
Currently, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior justice of the Supreme Court, is serving in an acting capacity, as stipulated under Article 144(6) of the Constitution.
Despite the heightened political and public interest in the development, Prof. Appiagyei-Atua stressed that Ghana’s judiciary remains resilient, with its integrity and operational stability firmly preserved.
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