Torkornoo Sues to Stop Baffoe-Bonnie’s Vetting, Citing Unlawful Removal from Office

Torkornoo Challenges Legality of Her Removal, Seeks to Halt Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s Vetting

Former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has filed a lawsuit at the High Court to stop the vetting and possible appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s next Chief Justice. The legal action, filed this week in Accra, seeks to invalidate the process that led to her removal from office and to question the constitutionality of the President’s decision.

Justice Torkornoo’s case comes just days before Parliament’s Appointments Committee begins vetting Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who has been serving as Acting Chief Justice since April 2025.

In her application, the former Chief Justice is requesting the High Court to quash all proceedings of the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang-led Committee. The committee was established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to investigate petitions that called for her removal from office.

Justice Torkornoo is also asking the court to declare the Presidential Warrant that dismissed her on September 1, 2025, as unlawful, null, and void. Her lawyers argue that the committee’s work was constitutionally flawed and that the decision to remove her breached the principles of natural justice.

According to court filings, she contends that the committee exceeded its constitutional authority and failed to afford her fair hearing before recommending her dismissal to President John Mahama.

Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, who became Chief Justice in June 2023, was removed from office by President Mahama in early September after a constitutional committee found her guilty of misconduct. The committee, which operated under Article 146(10), concluded that she had breached constitutional provisions and allegedly misused public funds — claims she continues to deny.

The committee’s findings, endorsed by the Council of State, prompted the President to issue a removal warrant, paving the way for Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment as Acting Chief Justice.

Legal experts have described her case as one of the most significant judicial accountability tests in Ghana’s history, as it challenges both presidential authority and the integrity of constitutional oversight mechanisms.

Justice Emmanuel Baffoe-Bonnie, a senior Supreme Court Justice, has been acting in the top role since April 22, 2025, when Justice Torkornoo was suspended pending investigations. His nomination as the substantive Chief Justice was announced by President Mahama in September 2025, pending parliamentary approval.

The Appointments Committee of Parliament is scheduled to vet him in the coming days, but Justice Torkornoo’s legal challenge could delay or complicate the process.

Political and legal analysts note that the case raises questions about the balance of powers among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, particularly concerning how judicial officers are disciplined and replaced.

The outcome of Justice Torkornoo’s suit could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s judiciary and its independence. If the court sides with her, it may invalidate not only her removal but also the subsequent steps toward appointing a new Chief Justice.

Some constitutional scholars, such as Prof. Kwaku Asare, have in the past raised concerns about Article 146 proceedings, arguing that the process sometimes lacks transparency and adequate legal safeguards for officeholders.

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and civil society groups are yet to issue formal statements on the new lawsuit, but observers expect strong public interest given the case’s implications for judicial reform and separation of powers.

This development comes at a time when Ghana’s justice system faces heightened scrutiny over alleged political interference and public mistrust. The Torkornoo-Baffoe-Bonnie episode echoes earlier controversies involving judicial removals, such as that of former Electoral Commission Chairperson Charlotte Osei, who was dismissed under a similar constitutional process.

Analysts say the outcome could shape future constitutional interpretations of presidential powers of removal and the independence of judicial inquiries.

According to data from the Judicial Service Annual Report (2024), Ghana’s judiciary handled over 55,000 cases last year, a 14% increase from 2023, underscoring the institution’s central role in governance and public accountability.

The High Court is expected to fix a date for hearing Justice Torkornoo’s application in the coming weeks. Until then, Parliament’s leadership faces a delicate decision — whether to proceed with Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s vetting or await judicial clarification.

For many Ghanaians, the case symbolizes a pivotal test of constitutional democracy and judicial resilience.

As the nation watches the legal proceedings unfold, the ruling could either reinforce or redefine how Ghana handles disciplinary processes within its highest judicial offices.

Read more: Mahama Nominates Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Next Chief Justice Amid Judicial Transition