Group files suit at Supreme Court to halt removal of suspended CJ

A civil society organisation, the Centre for Citizenship, Constitutional and Electoral Systems, has filed a suit at the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the removal process involving suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.

Chief Justice Torkonoo was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established against her. The action followed petitions submitted by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic advocacy group Shining Stars of Ghana.

In its writ, the group is asking the Supreme Court to declare that the President’s response to the three petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal was unconstitutional.

The group argues that the President’s action violated key provisions of the 1992 Constitution, particularly Articles 17(1)–(3), 23, 296, and 146(1)–(4) and (6).

According to the group, the procedure lacked due process, and failed to uphold the principles of fairness, non-discrimination, and lawful administrative conduct as enshrined in the Constitution.

This legal action introduces a new dimension to the ongoing controversy over the Chief Justice’s suspension and fuels the wider national conversation about judicial independence and constitutional accountability.

Meanwhile, a five-member committee set up by President Mahama to investigate the petitions against Chief Justice Torkonoo is expected to begin its hearings today, Thursday, May 15, 2025. The committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang and was constituted under Article 146(6) of the Constitution, following consultations with the Council of State.

Earlier, on May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a 3–2 majority ruling, dismissed an application that sought to halt the removal process and revoke the Chief Justice’s suspension.

The majority opinion, delivered by Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, along with Justices Yonny Kulendi and Amadu Tanko, rejected the injunction request. Justices Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Ernest Gaewu dissented.

The court is expected to release its full judgment and reasoning on May 21, 2025.