Retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice William Atuguba
Retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice William Atuguba, has questioned the basis for President Akufo-Addo’s decision to dismiss a petition seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
A few days before leaving office, the President dismissed the petition, which sought the removal of the now-suspended Chief Justice.
After consultations with the Council of State, President Akufo-Addo concluded that the petition, filed by Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, lacked merit and did not disclose a prima facie case warranting further investigation.
The petition accused Chief Justice Torkornoo of misconduct and incompetence, citing issues such as alleged panel reconstitution, the issuance of practice directions, and constitutional breaches. However, the President’s review pointed to key shortcomings in the petition:
Lack of Supporting Evidence: The allegations were not supported by credible documentation or a factual basis.
Consistency with Law: The Chief Justice’s actions, including her administrative duties under the Courts Act, were deemed consistent with established legal practices.
Critics have condemned President Mahama for suspending the Chief Justice, claiming the action was politically motivated.
However, in an interview with Joy News, Justice Atuguba stated that there is nothing to suggest that former President Akufo-Addo’s decision to dismiss the petition was free of political considerations.
“This country—people like to pretend a lot, and that is my problem with Ghanaians. What necessarily shows that what President Akufo-Addo did was without politics? What was inherently not political there? What are the sound reasons we know that would justify it? What were the petitions? People don’t deal with those.
I know how this country operates. I don’t go anywhere, but I follow things, and I think about Ghana a lot. Political colourization—somebody’s camp does something, right or wrong, and because it’s their camp, it’s perfect. Another person does the same thing, maybe even better, and everything is wrong. That’s what is happening in this country. I’ll tell you plainly, that’s my assessment of things—and it doesn’t help us.”
Suspension of Chief Justice: What proves that former President Akufo-Addo was right to dismiss the petition? — Retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice William Atuguba questions. #ThePulse pic.twitter.com/VGzsCqHOdE
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) May 7, 2025
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