Following the determination of a prima facie case in the three petitions asking for the removal from office of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, President John Dramani Mahama has suspended her and set up a five-member committee to inquire into the petitions.
The committee is chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, a Justice on the Supreme Court bench.
Justice Pwamang was appointed to the Supreme Court bench in 2015.
Other members are Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, also a Justice on the Supreme Court bench, who was appointed in 2022.
Others in the five-member committee are Mr Daniel Yaw Domelevo, a former Auditor-General, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and Professor James Sefah Dzisah, an associate Professor at the University of Ghana.
There are three petitions asking that Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo should be removed from office for “stated misbehaviour” in line with the 1992 Constitution.
President John Dramani Mahama upon receiving the petitions, forwarded it to the Council of State for advice in establishing a prima facie case.
Following that, the Presidency in a press statement issued on Tuesday afternoon [April 22, 2025] by the Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu stated that in consultation with the Council of State, there has been a determination of a prima facie case in respect of the three petitions against Chief Justice Torkornoo.
“The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them.
Attached below is a copy of the press statement
President Mahama suspends Chief Justice after setting up committee to probe petitions
President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case has been established in respect of three petitions against the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
The President has consequently, established a committee in compliance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State with the following composition to inquire into the petitions which have been referred to them.
1. Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court – Chairman
2. Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court – Member
3. Daniel Yaw Domelevo (Former Auditor-General) – Member
4. Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo (Ghana Armed Forces) – Member
5. Professor James Sefah Dzisah (Associate Professor, University of Ghana) Member
Pursuant to Article 146(10) of the constitution and in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, the President has by a warrant, suspended the Chief Justice with immediate effect pending the outcome of the committee’s proceedings.
