UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers Demand Immediate Reinstatement of Suspended CJ Torkornoo

The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association have called for the “immediate and unconditional” reinstatement of Ghana’s suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo.

In a joint statement issued Thursday, August 14, 2025, the two legal bodies urged President John Mahama to act “without delay,” stressing Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the rule of law and the need to uphold constitutional obligations.

They insisted the Chief Justice be granted full due process, including transparent proceedings, representation by her legal counsel, and clear procedural rules with a set timeframe for the disciplinary committee to conclude its work.

The groups criticised the investigating committee for allowing petitioners to present witnesses instead of appearing themselves and for allegedly showing disrespect toward the Chief Justice’s legal representatives — actions they say breach the Latimer House Principles on fair judicial processes.

Meanwhile, the Attorney-General has moved to strike out a second judicial review filed by Justice Torkornoo, challenging one of the three petitions seeking her removal. Her legal team argues the petition — filed by a group calling itself the Shining Stars of Ghana — is invalid because the group is unregistered and its members remain anonymous. The Deputy Attorney-General maintains these claims are baseless and that the committee’s work should continue.

Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after a prima facie case was established against her based on three petitions. A five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, was appointed to investigate.

The Ghana Bar Association has condemned the suspension as unconstitutional, while the Chief Justice has accused the committee of violating her rights through invasive searches, device seizures, and denial of family access. She has also taken her case to the ECOWAS Court, escalating one of Ghana’s most high-profile judicial disputes in recent history.