Prosperity won’t favour any judge who replaces Torkornoo – Fatimatu Abubakar warns Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. This decision has sparked intense public and political debate. Members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have issued strong warnings.

The President acted on three petitions alleging misconduct against the Chief Justice. He followed constitutional procedure under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The matter was referred to the Council of State, which recommended a five-member committee to investigate. Based on this advice, the Chief Justice was suspended pending the committee’s findings.

Critics have raised concerns about the timing and approach of the suspension. Legal analysts and civil society organizations question the transparency of the process. They note that the petitions have not been made public, and court challenges are ongoing. There is worry that this move may undermine judicial independence and set a dangerous precedent.

Former Minister of Information Fatimatu Abubakar criticized the suspension as politically motivated. She believes it could damage Ghana’s judicial credibility in the long term. In an interview with Movement TV, she warned that any judge accepting an appointment to replace Justice Torkornoo risks similar treatment in future.

Fatimatu stated that how this government handled the suspension could lead to retaliation cycles. This would endanger judicial neutrality. She emphasized that if NPP returns to power, they would apply similar standards to any Chief Justice appointed under perceived unfair conditions.

She urged President Mahama to reconsider his actions and withdraw support for the petitions against Justice Torkornoo. Fatimatu stressed that protecting judiciary independence from partisanship is crucial. “This is not just about one individual,” she said, “It’s about safeguarding our institutions.”