CJ served with 2 new removal petitions

Two more petitions deepen CJ’s woes
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, is facing mounting legal pressure after being served with two additional removal petitions, bringing the total number of allegations against her to five. Government insiders confirmed that the latest petitions were officially delivered last week, having been forwarded by President John Dramani Mahama in accordance with Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Although the identities of the petitioners and specifics of the accusations remain under wraps, sources close to the process indicate that the new petitions echo previous allegations of misconduct and abuse of power. These claims reportedly align with those contained in the three earlier petitions submitted on February 14 and March 17, 2025.

Suspension deepens crisis at the top of the Judiciary
This latest development comes just a day after Chief Justice Torkornoo was formally suspended from her duties. On April 22, 2025, a committee set up to examine the first batch of petitions established a prima facie case, triggering her suspension by President Mahama in consultation with the Council of State.

The decision to suspend Ghana’s top judge has stirred intense public discourse. While the Constitution lays out a clear process for addressing misconduct within the judiciary, critics argue that the recent developments raise concerns about the possible politicization of the judiciary and the erosion of judicial independence.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie steps in as Acting CJ
In the wake of the suspension, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge on the Supreme Court, has stepped in as Acting Chief Justice. He now oversees the country’s judicial affairs at a time when the institution is under the microscope.

Legal experts and court observers are closely watching to see how the judicial system will navigate this critical moment. The Constitution mandates that the Chief Justice respond to the new petitions within a set time frame, though it remains unclear how her suspension will affect the process.

Public divided, Scholars call for reform
Reactions to the unfolding saga have been sharply divided. While some see the removal process as a necessary check on judicial misconduct, others view it as a politically motivated campaign that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s democracy.

Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, a leading constitutional scholar and Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial removal process. In his view, reforms are urgently needed to enhance transparency and accountability.

“We need to reconsider how removal petitions are handled. Public disclosure of the grounds and outcomes of such proceedings is essential to maintain public trust in the judiciary,” Prof. Prempeh stated.

A Judiciary at a crossroads
With five active petitions, a suspended Chief Justice, and an interim leadership in place, Ghana’s judiciary is navigating one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory. As the constitutional process unfolds, all eyes are on how the nation’s legal system upholds its integrity, fairness, and independence in the face of growing political and institutional scrutiny.