The Office of the President has confirmed the receipt of two additional petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, bringing the total number of petitions against her to five.
These latest submissions, whose authors remain anonymous, have intensified the ongoing judicial controversy.
The first three petitions, submitted on February 14 and March 17, 2025, were reviewed by the Council of State, which advised President John Dramani Mahama that a prima facie case existed.
Acting on this recommendation, the President suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo on April 22, 2025, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
This decision has sparked a nationwide debate over judicial independence and the potential politicization of constitutional processes.
Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, has been appointed Acting Chief Justice as the investigation proceeds. Chief Justice Torkornoo was served with the initial petitions and given a 10-day window to respond, which she met on April 7.
Following her response, it was determined that the allegations warranted a full investigation.
While the contents of the petitions remain confidential under Article 146, sources suggest they include allegations of misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension has drawn mixed reactions, with critics warning of potential political interference and others emphasizing the importance of following constitutional procedures.
