Former Chief Justice Sues Government Over Withheld Salary and Benefits
- Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has filed a lawsuit against the government
- In a review application, Torkornoo seeks an order preventing the state from withholding her entitlements, which were due before her removal
- Additionally, she requests the annulment of the committee's findings and the presidential warrant that removed her from office
Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, has sued the government at the High Court over what she described as the unlawful denial of her salary, benefits, and entitlements following her removal from office.
In a review application filed on October 16, 2025, Gertrude Torkornoo is asking the court to issue an order preventing the state from withholding her lawful entitlements, which were due to her before the issuance of the presidential warrant removing her from office on September 1, 2025.
Source: Getty Images
The lawyers for the ousted Chief Justice argue that she remains entitled to all courtesies and benefits of her office up until the date the presidential warrant for her removal was issued.
She further claims that any attempt to deny or withdraw those entitlements is unlawful.
Other reliefs sought by Gertrude Torkornoo
The former Chief Justice is also asking the court to annul all proceedings and findings of the committee that investigated petitions for her removal.
She also requests that the court nullify the presidential warrant that removed her, as well as stop the ongoing process of appointing a new Chief Justice.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office by President John Mahama based on the recommendation of the committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, which found her guilty of misconduct and recommended her dismissal under Article 146 of the Constitution.
However, Gertrude Torkornoo argues in her review application that the findings were unfair, unconstitutional, and did not meet the legal standard for removing a Chief Justice.
According to her, the expenses cited as misconduct were not authorised by her personally, arguing that they were handled by authorised officials within the Judicial Service.
She also insisted that her actions regarding judge transfers and appointments were within her constitutional mandate, adding that the proceedings of the committee were conducted in a manner that violated natural justice.
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Torkornooo challenges Baffoe-Bonnie's appointment
Former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo has also filed a lawsuit to prevent the vetting and appointment of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the next Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
This legal action comes after Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was nominated by President Mahama to replace Gertrude Torkornoo following her removal from office.
The president submitted his name to the Council of State in line with Article 144 (1) of the constitution.
Baffoe-Bonnie must be vetted and approved by Parliament’s Appointments Committee before assuming office
Should Gertrude Torkornoo legal action succeeds, the Appointment Committee of Ghana's Parliamebt would have not option done to defer his vetting and approval as the next Chief Justice.
Reactions to Torkornoo's suit against the state
Ghanaians on social media have reacted to Gertrude Torkornoo's suit to halt the vetting and appointment of Baffoe-Bonnie as her successor.
YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:
@Maxwell Akpabli said:
"Afenyo Markin is behind the scene pulling the strings but he will fail."
@Famous Kwame Ameworlor also said:
"Eeeeeiiiii pls can the president create an office called "special Litigator" so she can be appointed to that office?"
@Muhammad Amin Ibn Alhassan commented:
"Madam, please this is not your family stool.."
@OsaBarima Dansoba also commented:
"Madam! edey like u wan turn this to chieftaincy disputes ooo or de word "chief "dey sound like the office be ur birth right."
Source: Facebook
Ghanaian citizen files petitions against Baffoe-Bonnie
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that a Ghanaian citizen, Gbande Nabbin Yussif petitioned President Mahama to remove Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie over alleged misconduct.
He cited a public comment made during a meeting with the Ghana Law Society as a breach of judicial ethics.
Gbande is seeking to invoke Article 146 of the Constitution and urges immediate investigation by a tribunal.
Source: YEN.com.gh
