On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo firmly stated in an address from Accra that she has no intention of resigning or retiring while the process to remove her from office remains underway.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo described the ongoing removal process as not only unprecedented in Ghana’s history but also deeply flawed and unlawful. She asserted that stepping down at this stage would be tantamount to validating what she termed “cruel treatment” against her. “Resigning or retiring is not an option once the suspension claims and process have begun,” she stated, stressing that doing so would mean yielding to an unconstitutional process and forfeiting her rightful entitlements—without the chance to defend herself against what she continues to describe as “false claims.”
Chief Justice Torkornoo was appointed to the Supreme Court in November 2019 and ascended to the position of Chief Justice on June 12, 2023.
Her suspension, carried out under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, came in response to several petitions questioning her judicial rulings, administrative conduct, and alleged misappropriation of travel-related funds—claims she has firmly denied, submitting evidence to counter the accusations.
President John Dramani Mahama, after reviewing the three petitions and acting in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution, concluded that a prima facie case had been established. In consultation with the Council of State, he issued a warrant on Tuesday, April 22, ordering the immediate suspension of Chief Justice Torkornoo.
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