Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has officially been removed from office by President John Dramani Mahama following the recommendation of the Article 146 Committee that investigated petitions seeking her removal.
This decision, announced by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Presidential Spokesperson, in a statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, takes immediate effect.
The removal follows the submission of the Article 146 Committee’s report, which was constituted under Article 146(6) to inquire into a petition submitted by Mr. Daniel Ofori.
Under Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, the President is required to act in accordance with the committee’s recommendation.
He explained that after reviewing the petition and examining the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of misbehavior under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu noted, “After considering the petition and the evidence, the Committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office.”
READ: Mahama receives first Committee report on petitions against Torkornoo
Chief Justice Torkornoo had earlier described the suspension and inquiry as “arbitrary” and “cruel” and refused to step down, maintaining her right to defend herself.
The decision marks the conclusion of the first report of the Article 146 Committee, which had been tasked with examining the petition thoroughly. Recommendations on any remaining petitions will be addressed in due course.
Chronology of events in the 133 days that CJ was suspended from April 22 to Sept.1
April 22, 2025 – President John Dramani Mahama suspends Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo following three petitions alleging misconduct and incompetence.
-A five-member committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, is established to investigate the allegations.
-Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Senior most judge at the Supreme Court assumed role as Acting Chief Justice.
April 26, 2025: GBA issued a statement asking the suspension of the CJ to be revoked.
May 15: Justice Gabriel Pwamang Committee had its first sitting and set timeline for the proceedings.
May 21: The Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, filed her interlocutory injunction at the Supreme Court. She sought to restrain the committee set up by President John Mahama to investigate petitions seeking her removal from office, pending the final determination of the case.
May 28: The Supreme Court dismissed Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s injunction application. The court, presided over by Justice Tanko Amadu JSC, ruled that the application lacked merit and refused to grant the injunction to halt the constitutional processes initiated against her.
June 25, 2025: Chief Justice Torkornoo announces her intention to address the nation regarding the suspension and ongoing proceedings.
July 4: 2025: The Chief Justice escalates her challenge to the ECOWAS Court, claiming violations of her rights to a fair hearing, dignity, and fair working conditions.
July 31, 2025: Human Rights Court in Accra strikes out suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo’s originating motion for Judicial Review as an abuse of Court process and want of jurisdiction.
August 2025: The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and notable legal figures testify before the committee, defending the Chief Justice’s actions. The committee receives approximately 10,000 pages of documentary exhibits.
September 1, 2025: The committee presented its report on Daniel Ofori’s petition to President Mahama at the Jubilee House, containing recommendations on the petition seeking the Chief Justice’s removal.
CJ removed from Office after 133 days since she was suspended on April 22.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
