Torkornoo Removed From Supreme Court Bench by Mahama in Addition to Being Sacked as Chief Justice
- Gertrude Torkornoo is no longer a justice of the Ghanaian Supreme Court after sanctions by President John Mahama
- She was also removed as Chief Justice after petitions for her sacking were assessed by an investigative committee
- The committee found that Torkornoo had engaged in the unlawful expenditure of public funds, among other concerns
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Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has also been removed from the Supreme Court bench by President John Mahama.
The President has signed an order confirming her removal from the bench, as well as her sacking from the Chief Justice's office.
Source: Getty Images
According to a post circulating on X, he stated:
"Now therefore, know ye all men that I, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, in pursuance of the said Article 146 (9), do hereby REMOVE the said Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from the office of Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, with effect from the date hereof.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand caused the Presidential Seal to be affixed at Accra this 1st of Sept 2025."
Torkornoo was removed following a recommendation by the committee probing complaints against her.
She had been on suspension since April 2025 after complaints were lodged against her in five petitions.
The investigative committee found that grounds of stated misbehaviour had been established.
According to the Presidency, the committee reviewed 10,000 pages of evidence submitted and heard from 13 witnesses on behalf of the first petitioner.
The chief justice also testified and called 12 other witnesses, including experts.
In comments on these developments to YEN.com.gh, lawyer and legal analyst, Amanda Clinton, described the removal as a watershed moment.
"It places future judicial heads in a position where their tenure may be influenced not solely by fidelity to the law but by political calculations.
"The Constitution was designed to keep the Judiciary strong and independent, not interchangeable with political officers.
"The removal of a sitting Chief Justice, though conducted under the law, carries the risk of chilling judicial independence."
What findings led to Torkornoo's removal?
The committee recommended Torkornoo's removal because of unlawful expenditure of public funds, abuse of discretionary power, and interference in judicial appointments.
For unlawful expenditure of public funds, she authorised the Judicial Service to cover travel expenses and per diem allowances for her husband and daughter during private holiday trips in 2023.
Source: Facebook
With respect to the grounds of abuse of discretionary power, her handling of the transfer violated Article 296(a) and (b) of the Constitution and amounted to misbehaviour.
For the grounds of interference in judicial appointments, Torkornoo was found to have sidestepped the established procedure for nominating Supreme Court Justices.
Ama Governor reacts to Gertrude Torkornoo's sacking
YEN.com.gh also recently reported that Elorm Ababio, aka Ama Governor, had reacted to the sacking of Torkonoo.
Ama Governor, now a lawyer, was the centre of controversy after being denied a call to the Ghana Bar multiple times.
She commented that Torkornoo's sacking was ironic since she had been removed on grounds of stated misbehaviour.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
