President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana has removed the country’s Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo from office, effective immediately. The presidency made the announcement on Monday.
The removal follows a petition submitted by Ghanaian citizen, Mr. Daniel Ofori, which led to the establishment of a committee tasked with investigating the allegations of stated misbehavior against the Chief Justice.
“President John Dramani Mahama has, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, removed the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, from office with immediate effect.” The presidency stated.
The constitutional process that led to her removal began in March with President Mahama receiving not one, but three separate petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.
An inquiry process was initiated on May 15, 2025, involving extensive hearings. The committee reportedly heard from numerous witnesses and reviewed thousands of pages of documentary evidence.
She was nominated by President Mahama in his previous term and was sworn in on December 17, 2019. She had previously resisted calls to resign, stating that doing so would legitimize a “flawed and unconstitutional process.” She had also reportedly filed an injunction application which was dismissed.
The statement, signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, did not provide specific details on the nature of the misbehavior. The move marks a rare and serious action against a high-ranking member of the judiciary.
The news has sent shockwaves across the political and legal landscape, and reactions from various stakeholders are expected in the coming hours. This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they become available.
