Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and Gertrude Torkonoo
A Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, has criticised the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo and an investigation aimed at her removal from office.
According to the former Member of Parliament for the Bekwai Constituency in the Ashanti Region, the Chief Justice has committed no offense that warrants her removal.
He argued that the basis for the move, the allegation that she travelled on official duty with her husband and daughter, is not substantial enough.
“What is happening now is part of a pre-planned agenda, and they are hiding behind individual petitions to do something unlawful, something the Chief Justice hasn’t done.”
He pointed out that other high-ranking officials, such as the Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, also travel with multiple people.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM on April 26, 2025, Joe Wise alleged that President John Dramani Mahama and his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), had premeditated the Chief Justice’s removal even before the 2024 elections and are now hiding behind public petitions to carry it out.
“There is no report that shows that the woman has committed any offense or broken the law to warrant punishment. But it is clear that the NDC government had already planned to remove the Chief Justice even before the elections were held,” he claimed.
Joe Wise continued, criticising the nature of the allegations, “They are accusing the Chief Justice of committing an offense simply because she travelled with her husband and daughter. If that is an offense, then they should go to Parliament and ask the Speaker how many people he travels with when on official duties.”
President Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following the establishment of a prima facie case against her.
The action was taken in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State in relation to three petitions filed against the Chief Justice.
A statement dated Tuesday, April 22, 2025, explained, “President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.”
It further stated that the President had set up a five-member committee to investigate the petitions. The members of the committee are:
• Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court (Chairman)
• Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court (Member)
• Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General (Member)
• Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces (Member)
• Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana (Member)
“Pursuant to Article 146(10) of the Constitution and in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, the President has, by a warrant, suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings,” the statement added.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, born on September 11, 1962, in Cape Coast, was sworn in as Ghana’s 15th Chief Justice on June 12, 2023, by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, becoming the third woman to hold the position.
She joined the judiciary in 2004, was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2019, and has been credited with driving reforms such as the E-Justice system. Justice Torkornoo is also an accomplished author and poet.
AM/KA
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