SC upholds Torkornoo’s removal
CJ removal: Gertrude Torkornoo suffers another defeat at Supreme Court
The Supreme Court (SC) has unanimously dismissed the consolidated cases challenging the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, bringing an end to the domestic legal battle over her dismissal. A seven-member panel, presided over by Justice Amadu Tanko, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, ruled that the cases lacked merit and dismissed them in their entirety. The decision effectively closes all attempts within Ghana’s courts to overturn the former Chief Justice’s removal from office.
Four Cases Consolidated Into Two
The legal challenges stemmed from Justice Torkornoo’s suspension in 2025 after a prima facie case was established following petitions seeking her removal.
Four separate suits were subsequently filed by:
1. Tafo MP Vincent Assafuah
2. Private citizen Theodore Atta Quartey;
3. Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
4. The Centre for Citizenship, Constitutional and Electoral Systems (CenCES).
The Supreme Court later consolidated the four suits into two cases for hearing before delivering its unanimous judgment.
Background to the removal
Justice Torkornoo was officially removed from office on September 1, 2025, after a five-member committee of inquiry, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang, recommended her dismissal.
The committee was constituted under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate petitions alleging stated misbehaviour against the former Chief Justice. Its findings concluded that she was culpable of several breaches, including the alleged misuse of public funds through travel-related expenditures and payments involving family members, as well as violations of constitutional procedures governing judicial administration.
Historic first under the fourth Republic
Justice Torkornoo’s dismissal marked a significant constitutional milestone, becoming the first time a sitting Chief Justice in Ghana’s Fourth Republic had been removed through the constitutional process outlined in Article 146.
The development generated widespread political and legal debate, with supporters and critics offering differing interpretations of the constitutional removal process.
ECOWAS Court also rejects her claims
The Supreme Court’s ruling comes just days after the ECOWAS Court of Justice dismissed a separate case brought by the former Chief Justice against the Republic of Ghana. On June 24, 2026, the regional court ruled that it found no evidence that Ghana had violated Justice Torkornoo’s rights and dismissed all her claims, including her request for damages.
Domestic Legal Battle Comes to an End
With the Supreme Court’s latest decision, all domestic legal avenues challenging Justice Torkornoo’s removal have now been exhausted.
The unanimous verdict brings finality to one of Ghana’s most closely watched constitutional and judicial disputes, leaving the September 2025 removal intact after surviving both domestic and regional legal scrutiny.
