Two former Chief Justices, Sophia Akuffo (rtd) and Kwasi Anin Yeboah (rtd), together with several eminent jurists, have reportedly appeared before the five-member Article 146 Committee to testify in support of the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, according to a report on asaaseradio.com.
The committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, was set up by President John Dramani Mahama in response to three separate petitions seeking the removal of the Chief Justice.
According to the report, sources close to the committee confirmed that, apart from the two former Chief Justices, other respected legal luminaries, including Justice Jones Dotse (rtd), Nana Dr S.K.B. Asante and renowned lawyer Samuel Okudzeto, allegedly gave testimony in favour of the embattled Chief Justice.
The report further detailed that the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) also sent a delegation led by its president, Efua Ghartey, vice-president Victoria Nana Ama Barth and executive secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour.
They allegedly presented documents to counter allegations against Justice Torkornoo, particularly relating to the expansion of the Supreme Court and the process of judicial appointments.
All witnesses appeared voluntarily at the request of the Chief Justice, with testimonies reportedly given between August 4 and August 18, 2025.
During their submissions, both Sophia Akuffo and Anin Yeboah confirmed that the administrative functions under scrutiny, such as assigning cases and recommending judges, were routine responsibilities of the office.
They also stated that the benefits attached to the Chief Justice’s office, which have been questioned in one of the petitions, were equally enjoyed during their tenures.
Nana Dr S.K.B. Asante, a constitutional law expert and chairman of the committee of experts that drafted the 1992 Constitution, emphasised that Article 146 was never intended to justify the removal of a Chief Justice over issues such as personal travel.
He stressed that the constitution only permits removal on grounds of inability to perform official duties.
Witnesses also questioned aspects of the committee’s process.
They argued that the Chief Justice and her legal team were not served with the president’s prima facie findings or a clear list of issues under investigation, failures they described as constitutional breaches.
Chief Justice Torkornoo herself began testifying before the committee on August 18, 2025.
According to sources, she has firmly rejected the allegations, describing them as unfounded and based on routine administrative decisions.
The committee is expected to conclude its hearings soon and submit its report to President Mahama.
Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after President Mahama consulted the Council of State on petitions seeking her removal.
The petitions came from Shining Stars of Ghana, an unregistered group, which filed on February 14, 2025.
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ACP Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo (Esq), also on February 14, raised concerns relating to a Supreme Court case.
Daniel Ofori, on March 17, who levelled 25 allegations, including claims of misbehaviour and incompetence.
Critics have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, as Justice Pwamang, who chaired the committee, is a Supreme Court justice involved in one of the cases mentioned in the petitions.
Justice Gabriel Pwamang chairs the Article 146 Committee and includes Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces and Prof James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana.
Suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo does not have the option to resign – Kwame Akuffo
The committee’s report will determine whether Justice Torkornoo is reinstated or permanently removed from office.
