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The Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which maintains that transparency must rule in cases involving the highest court in the land, has called for the prompt publication of the complete ruling establishing a prima facie case against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The GBA urged President Mahama to reveal the reasons behind the Chief Justice’s suspension during its 2025 Mid-Year Conference in Accra on Saturday, April 26. The GBA contended that public access to the preliminary findings is essential to guaranteeing justice and constitutional observance.
According to the GBA’s resolution, “this disclosure is necessary to ensure that the process is conducted in accordance with the principles of transparency and fairness.”
The Association argues that although the President is granted some powers under Article 146(10) of the Constitution, the use of this discretion must be supported by explicit laws, which it claims are now absent.
A second demand from the GBA called for the adoption of comprehensive legal tools to control the removal and suspension of Superior Court judges, cautioning that the current procedure is open to arbitrary interpretation.
The Bar’s involvement follows its consideration of the Chief Justice’s formal replies to the five petitions. Members expressed their strong belief that Justice Sackey Torkornoo’s suspension was unjustified and compromised judicial independence.
The GBA underlined its continued dedication to upholding due process in all constitutional proceedings and protecting the judiciary’s independence.
In order to guarantee that justice is not only carried out but also clearly perceived to have been carried out, its president, Efua Ghartey, has asked members to keep a careful eye on the continuing processes aimed at the Chief Justice’s removal.
She asserts that because the proceedings surrounding the Chief Justice’s possible removal are unusual, the Bar needs to take the initiative to inform the public about them.
“One such issue, which is currently on the lips of Ghanaians as a result of the publicity associated with the process triggered for the removal of the Chief Justice, is what is a prima facie case?” she said.
“This process is a novel one in our history as a country, and we, the Bar, must continue to monitor the situation and not hesitate to express our opinion on it where the circumstances demand. It is important that in such matters, justice is not only done but manifestly be seen to have been done”, Ghartey further emphasised.
The GBA has promised to take the lead in talks to create precise regulations and standards for the removal of judges and other Article 71 office holders.
Read the GBA full statement below:
On February 14, 2025, a group called the Shining Stars of Ghana, led by Kingsley Agyei, filed the first petition.
On March 17, 2025, Daniel Ofori submitted a second petition, claiming four cases of incompetence and 21 cases of misconduct, mostly pertaining to Justice Sackey Torkornoo’s administrative duties as head of the judiciary.
The third petition, dated February 14, 2025, was filed by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo, who is based at the National Police Headquarters in Accra.
Christopher Degbui of Juapong in the Volta Region submitted a fourth petition on March 28, 2025.
Alfred Kwabena Asiedu, a former Circuit Court judge whose complaints were related to the legal procedures that resulted in his dismissal, filed the final petition on April 2, 2025.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
