Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has released the full contents of the three petitions calling for her removal, including a detailed and strongly worded submission from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo.
Filed under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, Section 16 of the Judicial Service Act, and the Code of Conduct for Judges and Magistrates, Akolgo’s petition cites multiple grounds for stated misbehavior and incompetence, centering on events that occurred during a court session on November 14, 2023.
ACP Ayamga claims that after the Chief Justice dismissed his application in the Supreme Court, she made off-judgment demeaning remarks about his competence as a senior barrister. When he responded with a calm “I disagree,” she allegedly ordered his immediate arrest and detention—a move he describes as unilateral, illegal, and humiliating.
He further alleges that:
The arrest lacked legal basis under the Criminal Procedure Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The incident was not recorded in the official court record, denying him procedural recourse.
A search report produced by the court falsely denied the arrest ever took place—statements he believes were fabricated under the Chief Justice’s direction to cover up the incident.
Read ALSO: CJ suspension: Read full petition from Shining Stars calling for Chief Justice Torkornoo’s removal
In total, the petition outlines 16 counts ranging from abuse of office, unlawful arrest, failure to document proceedings, and fabrication of evidence—all said to bring the judiciary into disrepute.
Read the full petition below:
Download PDF
But the in a public statement delivered on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Justice Torkornoo denied all allegations brought by the petitioners, labeling them as “politically motivated, unfounded, and legally misinformed.”
“This is a carefully orchestrated attempt to remove me from office. I will not resign. I will defend my integrity through due process,” she said.
She affirmed that full rebuttals with supporting evidence had been submitted to the President and relevant authorities.
