List of allegations leveled against former CJ

Two petitions have been filed to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. They contain serious allegations, including constitutional breaches and courtroom misconduct.

The Chief Justice has denied all accusations. The petitions have sparked public interest in judicial transparency.

1. Breach of Constitutional Procedure in Judicial Appointments

The first petition is from Shining Stars of Ghana, represented by Kingsley Agyei. They accuse the Chief Justice of overstepping her authority. She allegedly recommended five Justices for the Supreme Court without consulting the Judicial Council. This act reportedly violated Article 144 of the 1992 Constitution. The petitioners claim it shows "incompetence" in judicial procedures.

They believe this undermines the judiciary's integrity and calls for her removal.

2. Misconduct in a Supreme Court Ruling

The second allegation also comes from Shining Stars of Ghana. It concerns a case called Afenyo-Markin v. The Speaker of Parliament, which she presided over. Petitioners argue that she breached natural justice rules, compromising fairness in the ruling.

3. Disrespectful Conduct in Court

Lawyer Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo filed a separate petition against the Chief Justice. He claims she acted improperly during a hearing on November 14, 2023. He alleges her conduct led to his removal from court and detention based on false media reports.

Yakubu stated he was portrayed as unruly when he behaved appropriately. He criticized court records for being incomplete and inaccurate regarding events.

4. Allegations of False Record-Keeping

Yakubu also accused the Chief Justice of contributing to a false search report from the Supreme Court registry. He views this as a violation of the Judicial Service’s code of conduct but cited an outdated law.

The Chief Justice Responds

Chief Justice Torkornoo has strongly denied all allegations against her. She stated that they are repetitive, misleading, or constitutionally misinformed.

“None meet the threshold for misbehavior under Article 146,” she wrote in response to the President's inquiry.

She emphasized that court decisions are made collectively and not individually by her alone.

What Happens Next?

President Mahama has formed a five-member committee to investigate these petitions and make recommendations. The panel includes Justices from the Supreme Court, a former Auditor-General, and experts from military and academic backgrounds.

As this inquiry unfolds, Ghanaians await clarity on whether these allegations indicate real misconduct or misunderstandings within the judicial process.