Prez Mahama Receives Committee Report on Petition Against Suspended Chief Justice

President John Dramani Mahama has formally received the first report from the Article 146 Committee of Inquiry, established to investigate petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.

This follows an earlier decision by the President that three separate petitions against the Chief Justice had established a prima facie case. In accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, he subsequently set up a five-member panel to conduct the inquiry.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, included former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana. The panel has now completed its work and submitted recommendations to the President, who is expected to review the findings and announce his decision in due course.

The case has attracted significant public and institutional attention, with the legal fraternity, civil society groups, and political actors closely monitoring the process due to its implications for judicial independence and constitutional governance.

Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after President Mahama—citing Article 146(6) of the Constitution—determined that the petitions, which accused her of misconduct and incompetence, warranted further investigation. The President, after consulting the Council of State, appointed the inquiry panel led by Justice Pwamang, supported by Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu, Domelevo, Major Dalugo, and Professor Dzisah.

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, was named Acting Chief Justice during the investigation.

The suspension triggered strong reactions. The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) described it as unconstitutional, arguing that the President failed to issue a Constitutional Instrument as required under Article 296. Similarly, the Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) criticized the process as politically biased and lacking transparency, raising concerns about judicial independence.

Chief Justice Torkornoo has firmly rejected the suspension, labeling it “arbitrary,” “harsh,” and unconstitutional. She has refused to resign, insisting on her right to defend herself against the allegations.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has also condemned the decision, warning that it undermines democratic principles and threatens the integrity of Ghana’s constitutional order.