President John Dramani Mahama has officially removed Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office, with immediate effect.
This decision follows the recommendations of a constitutional committee established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
In April this year, the President suspended the Chief Justice, citing a prima facie case established in three separate petitions alleging misconduct. He then formed a five-member committee under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate.
The panel, led by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang along with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo, and Associate Professor James Sefah Dzisah, conducted an in-camera investigation. Extensive evidence—including testimony from 13 witnesses for the petitioner, 12 for Torkornoo, and roughly 10,000 pages of documentation—was reviewed.
On September 1, 2025, the committee submitted its first report to President Mahama. Based on its recommendation, the President was constitutionally bound to act under Article 146(9). Consequently, Torkornoo was removed from office immediately.
The suspension followed a formal, constitutionally mandated process:
- Suspension (April 22)
- Committee investigation
- Submission of report (Sept 1)
- The President’s removal of the Chief Justice, in line with the committee’s recommendation
