Former CJ Torkornoo Could Have Faced Jail Abroad – Franklin Cudjoe

President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has stated that former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo could have been jailed in other countries over her alleged misuse of state funds.

His remarks follow President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to remove Justice Torkornoo from office after an Article 146 Committee found her guilty of financial misconduct.

According to the committee’s report, she wrongfully billed the Judicial Service for personal trips in September 2023—one to Tanzania with her husband and another to the United States with her daughter. The report added that per diem allowances were also extended to her family members, describing the actions as unlawful, unjustifiable, and a “reckless dissipation of public funds.”

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue with Selorm Adonoo, Mr. Cudjoe criticized the former Chief Justice for what he termed an “unwarranted imprest.” He dismissed arguments that she should have been guided by finance officers, stressing that as head of the Judiciary, she knew the law and should have acted accordingly.

“Let’s take politics out of this. She was the head of the Judiciary and knew the law. In other jurisdictions, she would have been in jail by now,” he argued.

On Monday, September 1, 2025, President Mahama officially removed Justice Torkornoo from office under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution. A statement signed by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the decision was based on the binding recommendation of the Article 146(6) investigative committee, following a petition by a citizen, Daniel Ofori. The removal took immediate effect.