Exclusive: CJ’s response to Private Citizen, Daniel Ofori’s petition seeking her removal

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo responded to President John Mahama. She firmly rejected allegations of financial misconduct from Daniel Ofori's petition. Ofori accused her of misappropriating over GHS 261,000 in public funds for personal trips. He also claimed she took an extra GHS 75,580 for a trip to Tanzania and failed to account for a $14,000 imprest.

In her response, Chief Justice Torkornoo stated that all travel was within Judicial Service policy. This policy has been in place since 2010 and revised in 2019. It allows the Chief Justice to travel with a spouse or chosen person on official or holiday trips. She cited Paragraph A(9), which permits unlimited official travels funded by the Judicial Service.

Torkornoo explained that there was no violation when she traveled with her spouse and daughter. Regarding the $14,000 imprest claim, she said she returned over $9,500 shortly after her trip. She attached documentation dated September 14, 2023, showing this return.

She clarified that she spent $4,411 from the imprest and returned $9,588.20. Torkornoo described Ofori’s claims as based on misunderstandings of audit records and accounting procedures.

On her trip to Arusha, Tanzania, she fell ill and had to return early for a conference in Cape Coast. She emphasized that she does not manage travel allowances or ticketing as Chief Justice.

“I neither purchase travel tickets nor determine per diem,” she stated. Torkornoo concluded that the petition lacks merit and reflects a flawed interpretation of records and policies.

She expressed disappointment that Ofori created a misleading presentation of expenditures. This petition is part of ongoing attempts to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo under Article 146 of the Constitution, which she has firmly rebutted so far.