Suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo
The Minority in Parliament has condemned President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, describing it as a “brazen judicial coup” and a reckless abuse of executive power.
In a statement issued on Monday, April 22, 2025, the Minority accused the President of engaging in political vengeance and undermining judicial independence, especially while legal challenges to the Chief Justice’s removal are still pending before the Supreme Court.
“This move is nothing short of a brazen judicial coup, a reckless abuse of executive power, and a direct assault on the independence of Ghana’s Judiciary,” the statement read.
The Minority argued that suspending the Chief Justice under these circumstances amounts to a violation of due process and a dangerous overreach by the Executive.
They likened the action to the 1963 removal of Chief Justice Sir Arku Korsah by President Kwame Nkrumah, a decision widely criticized as executive interference in judicial affairs.
“It is an unpardonable affront to the rule of law that the President has proceeded to suspend the Chief Justice while the Supreme Court is yet to rule on the constitutionality of the very process being used against her,” the statement said.
The group further alleged that the suspension was politically motivated, citing President Mahama’s 2023 remarks in Akosombo where he reportedly declared intentions to “balance” the judiciary with judges aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“This is not about accountability; it is about raw political control. It is neither good governance nor a credible attempt to reset the judiciary, it is tyranny,” the Minority asserted.
The Minority has warned the Mahama administration, vowing to resist any further attempts to harass or unlawfully remove the Chief Justice.
“Any further attempts to harass, intimidate, or unlawfully remove the Chief Justice will be met with fierce legal and public resistance.
“The legal fraternity, civil society, and all defenders of democracy will not stand idly by while the judiciary is turned into an appendage of the Executive.”
The Minority called for the immediate reinstatement of Chief Justice Torkornoo and a suspension of all removal proceedings until the Supreme Court has ruled on the matter.
AM/KA
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