Suspended Chief Justice challenges her removal at Supreme Court

Suspended Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has filed a legal challenge. She is seeking to overturn her suspension by President John Dramani Mahama.

The suit was filed on May 21, 2025. It argues that her removal process was unconstitutional. It also claims it violated her rights to due process and a fair hearing.

Justice Torkornoo requests several declarations from the Supreme Court. She wants an order to nullify the President’s suspension directive. She also seeks to disband the committee investigating her.

A key claim in her suit is that she lacked a public hearing. This hearing was supposed to be before a committee appointed by the President. She argues this violates Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Justice Torkornoo insists that the case against her lacks lawful basis. She believes the President's actions breach judicial independence. They also attempt to unjustly remove the head of the Judiciary.

Her suit includes 16 specific reliefs, such as:

- A declaration for a public hearing regarding her removal.
- A ruling that the prima facie determination against her is arbitrary and unconstitutional.
- A call for removing certain committee members due to bias or conflict of interest.
- An order to set aside the presidential warrant for her suspension.
- An injunction preventing the committee from continuing its inquiry.

Justice Torkornoo challenges other committee members' eligibility too. She cites violations under the Oaths Act and principles of administrative justice.

This legal move follows an earlier request for an injunction. That injunction aimed to halt investigations into three petitions demanding her removal.

The Supreme Court has not yet set a date for hearing this case. The situation has drawn national attention due to its implications for judicial independence and governance.