On April 22, 2025, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister and Spokesperson to the President, released a statement from the Presidency announcing that President John Dramani Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, had suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
This decision followed the establishment of a prima facie case based on three petitions seeking her removal, as per Article 146 and its related provisions in the 1992 Constitution.
Six days after the committee’s first sitting on May 15, the suspended Chief Justice filed a legal suit at the Supreme Court on May 21, including an interlocutory injunction to halt the committee’s proceedings (Her Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo v The Attorney-General & 5 Others, Suit No. J8/113/2025).
The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the injunction on May 28.
Other individuals, including Vincent Ekow Assafuah, a member of parliament for Old Tafo, and others, filed similar actions, which were also dealt with by the apex court.
The cases include Centre for Citizenship Constitutional Electoral Systems LBG (CenCes) v The Attorney-General & 2 Others (Suit No. J1/20/2025), Vincent Ekow Assafuah v The Attorney-General (Suit No. J1/18/2025), Ebenezer Osei-Owusu v The Attorney-General (Suit No. J1/19/2025), and Theodore Kofi Atta-Quartey v Attorney-General (Suit No. J8/109/2025).
The Article 146 Committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, consisted of the following members: Justice Samuel Kwame Adonu-Asiedu, a Justice of the Supreme Court; Daniel Yao Domelevo; Major Flora Bazaawaabnuba Dalugo; and Prof. James Sefah DZISAH.
EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, provides a chronology of events highlighting key developments that took place from April 22 to September 1, 2025, spanning a total of 133 days.
April 22, 2025 – President John Dramani Mahama suspends Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
-A five-member committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, is established to investigate the allegations.
-Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Senior most judge at the Supreme Court assumed role as Acting Chief Justice.
April 26, 2025: GBA issued a statement asking the suspension of the CJ to be revoked.
May 15, 2025: Justice Gabriel Pwamang Committee had its first sitting and set timeline for the proceedings.
May 21, 2025: The Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, filed her interlocutory injunction at the Supreme Court. She sought to restrain the committee set up by President John Mahama to investigate petitions seeking her removal from office, pending the final determination of the case.
May 28, 2025: The Supreme Court dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s injunction application. The court, presided over by Justice Tanko Amadu JSC, ruled that the application lacked merit and refused to grant the injunction to halt the constitutional processes initiated against her.
June 25, 2025: Chief Justice Torkornoo announces her intention to address the nation regarding the suspension and ongoing proceedings.
Unfair Process: She described the removal process as “unfair” and “opaque,” stating that every step breaks every rule of justice delivery in the country.
Secrecy of Proceedings: Mrs Torkornoo criticized the committee’s decision to hold hearings in secret, citing concerns about transparency and accountability. She had requested a public hearing despite the constitution stating that proceedings be held in-camera.
Choice of Venue: She questioned the choice of Adu Lodge as the hearing venue, linking it to the 1981 murder of judges, including her uncle. She believes this choice was intended to intimidate her.
Lack of Access to Documents: The Chief Justice accused the committee of withholding copies of the petitions against her, preventing her from preparing a proper defense.
Illegality of Subpoenas: Mrs.Torkornoo challenged the committee’s authority to issue subpoenas, arguing that it lacks statutory power to compel witnesses.
Baseless Allegations: She dismissed the allegations against her as unfounded and untrue, providing evidence to refute claims of misconduct.
Threats and Pressure to Resign: Despite receiving threats and pressure to resign, Torkornoo vowed not to step down, stating that resigning would legitimize an unjust process.
Impact on Judicial Independence: She warned that the process sets a dangerous precedent, affecting not just her but all judges and heads of constitutional bodies, potentially eroding judicial independence.
July 4: 2025: The Chief Justice escalates her challenge to the ECOWAS Court, claiming violations of her rights to a fair hearing, dignity, and fair working conditions.
July 31, 2025: Human Rights Court in Accra strikes out suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s originating motion for Judicial Review as an abuse of Court process and want of jurisdiction.
August 2025: The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and notable legal figures testify before the committee, defending the Chief Justice’s actions. The committee receives approximately 10,000 pages of documentary exhibits.
September 1, 2025: The committee presented its report on Daniel Ofori’s petition to President Mahama at the Jubilee House, containing recommendations on the petition seeking the Chief Justice’s removal.
Presidency confirmation
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect.
“This follows receipt of the report of the Committee constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Mr Daniel Ofori. After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
“Under Article 146(9), the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation,” Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP)
Spokesperson to the President, Minister, Government Communications stated in a stated released on Monday, September 1, 2025.
