The Article 146 Committee investigating petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has submitted its first findings to President John Dramani Mahama.
The five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, presented the report at a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House.
Justice Pwamang explained that the inquiry was conducted in camera, in line with constitutional provisions, and emphasized that limited procedural details could be shared without disclosing the substance of evidence.
“In camera proceedings are not the same as in secret,” he noted, countering circulating misinformation about the committee’s work.
On the first petition, filed by Mr. Daniel Ofori, the committee reviewed testimonies from 13 witnesses for the petitioner and 12 witnesses for Chief Justice Torkornoo, including expert testimony. Both parties submitted approximately 10,000 pages of documentation and were represented by four lawyers each.
Following careful assessment, the committee reached a recommendation, which was handed to the President in a sealed envelope.
Proceedings on the second petition have been adjourned at the request of both the petitioner and the Chief Justice.
The committee plans to release its recommendations on the remaining petitions in due course.
In April 2025, President Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo after a prima facie case was established in three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
Under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the President appointed the five-member committee to investigate the claims.
Other members of the panel include former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah-Dzisah of the University of Ghana and Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
Chief Justice Torkornoo has publicly defended herself, describing the suspension and proceedings as “arbitrary” and “cruel,” and has refused to step down, maintaining her right to contest the allegations.
President Mahama, in the coming days is now expected to review the committee’s findings and communicate his decision.
