Chief Justice Torkornoo Submits Official Response to President Following Petitions for Her Removal

Accra, Ghana – Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo has officially responded to petitions seeking her removal from office, fulfilling the constitutional obligation to present her case within the timeframe provided by the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama.

According to reliable sources close to the Office of the President, the Chief Justice’s written response was submitted in advance of the April 7, 2025, deadline. The documentation has been duly forwarded to both the President and the Council of State, the constitutional body mandated to advise the President on such matters.

This response comes after President Mahama formally acknowledged receipt of multiple petitions urging the removal of the Chief Justice. Under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, the President, upon receipt of such petitions, is required to refer them to the Council of State for advice. As part of the process, the Chief Justice was granted a 10-day window to respond to the allegations contained within the petitions—an opportunity she has now exercised.

Although the contents of the petitions have not been officially disclosed, it is believed that they contain allegations questioning the Chief Justice’s conduct and suitability to remain in office. Details of these claims remain confidential at this stage, and the Chief Justice’s response—equally undisclosed—is said to provide a robust defense against the issues raised.

With the response now formally submitted, the constitutional process enters its next critical phase. The Council of State is expected to begin a thorough review of the materials submitted by both the petitioners and the Chief Justice. Their role is to determine whether a prima facie case exists that warrants the establishment of a formal investigative committee, as outlined in the constitutional procedure for removing a sitting Chief Justice.

Legal analysts and political observers have described the development as a pivotal moment for Ghana’s democratic and judicial institutions. If the process advances beyond this preliminary stage, it could trigger a historic inquiry with far-reaching implications for judicial independence, the separation of powers, and constitutional governance in the country.

This is the first time in recent memory that a sitting Chief Justice in Ghana has faced such a petition reaching this level of formal consideration, making the Council of State’s deliberations all the more consequential.

While public discourse around the matter continues to grow, official sources have urged restraint and patience, emphasizing that the process must be allowed to unfold within the bounds of the law, devoid of political interference or public pressure.

As Ghana’s democracy matures, the coming days will test the resilience of its institutions and the integrity of its constitutional procedures. All eyes are now on the Council of State as the nation awaits its advisory decision on whether the petition merits further investigation.