Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has been suspended by President John Dramani Mahama after a preliminary determination indicated grounds for a formal probe into her conduct.

The suspension, announced on Tuesday, April 22, follows the establishment of a prima facie case based on three separate petitions calling for her removal. The action is in accordance with Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution and comes after consultations with the Council of State.

Although the details of the petitions remain undisclosed, the situation has generated intense discussion among legal and political observers, with concerns raised over the implications for judicial accountability and institutional trust.

Chief Justice Torkornoo, who was officially notified and given a 10-day window to respond to the allegations, submitted her defense on April 7. Following a review of her response and further consultation, the presidency concluded that the case merited further investigation.

A five-member committee has been constituted to carry out the inquiry. It is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang and includes Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana.

Per constitutional provisions under Article 146(10), the President, acting on the advice of the Council of State, has signed a warrant for her immediate suspension while investigations proceed.

Justice Torkornoo was appointed as Ghana’s 15th Chief Justice in June 2023, succeeding Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah. Her appointment marked her as the third woman to serve in the role in Ghana’s history.