Accra: President John Dramani Mahama has suspended Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office, following the establishment of a prima facie case against her. A statement issued by Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Presidential Spokesman and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, indicated that the suspension was in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution and was made in consultation with the Council of State, after determining that a prima facie case had been established in respect of three petitions against Chief Justice Torkornoo.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President has established a committee, as mandated by Article 146(6) of the Constitution and in consultation with the Council of State, to inquire into the petitions. The committee is composed of Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice of the Supreme Court, as Chairman, and Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Justice of the Supreme Court, as a member. Additional members include Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo, former Auditor-General, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo from the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah, an Associate Professor at the University of Ghana.
The statement further revealed that, pursuant to Article 146(10) of the Constitution and following the advice of the Council of State, the President has issued a warrant to suspend Chief Justice Torkornoo with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the Committee’s proceedings.
