Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo Submits Preliminary Response To Removal Petitions

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has formally responded to petitions seeking her removal from office, marking a pivotal moment in a constitutional process that has captured national attention. Her preliminary reply was submitted to President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, April 7, just ahead of the 10-working-day deadline provided by the Presidency.

According to sources familiar with the matter, copies of the Chief Justice’s response were also delivered to the Council of State, adhering to established constitutional procedures. The petitions, lodged last month, have ignited intense legal discourse and public scrutiny, particularly regarding the proper mechanisms for judicial removal under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

In an earlier communication to the President, Justice Torkornoo had sought access to the full details of the petitions and requested an extension of at least seven days to prepare her defense, emphasizing the necessity of due process and fairness in such proceedings.

With her response now filed, the Council of State is poised to commence its preliminary assessment to determine whether the allegations present a prima facie case warranting further investigation. This step is a key requirement under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s Constitution, which mandates the Council’s advisory role before any formal inquiry into judicial misconduct can proceed.

Should the Council find merit in the petitions, a committee may be constituted to conduct a full investigation—a development that could have profound implications for Ghana’s judiciary and the broader governance framework.

Legal Challenge Adds Another Layer to Controversy

Meanwhile, the dispute has also entered the judicial arena, with the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a case on April 9 filed by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo. The lawsuit contests the legality of President Mahama’s initiation of the removal process without prior formal notice to the Chief Justice, raising critical constitutional questions about executive authority, separation of powers, and procedural fairness.

Legal experts are closely watching the case, as its outcome could influence the trajectory of the removal proceedings and set important precedents for judicial accountability in Ghana.

As the situation unfolds, the nation awaits the next steps in what has become a defining test of Ghana’s constitutional governance and judicial independence.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com