Suspended Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, addressed Ghanaians on the ongoing hearings on three petitions for her removal.
In her address, which was blended with emotion and resolve, Justice Torkornoo condemned the ongoing processes for her removal, making some allegations against the John Dramani Mahama government.
Minutes after the suspended Chief Justice’s address ended, the government also addressed Ghanaians on the allegations made by the suspended Chief Justice.
The spokesperson to the President and Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who addressed Ghanaians, refuted all the allegations Justice Torkornoo made regarding the ongoing process for her removal.
Below is a breakdown of the claims Justice Torkornoo made and the government’s responses:
Political plot to remove the CJ:
Justice Torkornoo, in her address, insinuated that the ongoing process was a “political agenda” to remove her so that the government could control the judiciary.
“I have also heard several commentaries in the media about how this process was born out of a stated political agenda to remove me and control the Judiciary, and that it is a political effort that can only result in the charade of a hearing that is played out. I thank all those who have engaged in this conversation out of concern for my safety and well-being,” she said.
Kwakye Ofosu dismissed Justice Torkornoo’s insinuation of a political plot for her removal.
He pointed out that President Mahama has sworn to uphold the 1992 Constitution and is constitutionally bound to act when petitions are brought before him.
“Her Ladyship the Chief Justice all but insinuated that there is some political agenda at play to oust her… let me be clear. No such political agenda exists,” he asserted.
Constitutionality of process for CJ’s removal:
Justice Torkornoo also asserted that every step taken by the John Dramani Mahama government on the petitions for her removal from office has violated the 1992 Constitution.
“Unfortunately, every step of the removal process undertaken against me has been done in a manner that breaks every rule on how justice is delivered in our country.
“This is why I find the need to draw the nation’s attention to the serious violation of the constitution and law in the process and the danger it holds for the development of the nation’s democracy,” she said.
The spokesperson of the President, who described Torkornoo’s address as “regrettable”, said that the laws of the state, which set out the processes on petitions for the removal of the Chief Justice, have been followed.
He added that President Mahama is the last person to violate the country’s constitution, suggesting that it was the suspended Chief Justice who may be violating the constitution.
“I cannot ascribe any motive to the Chief Justice but to express regret over an act that may appear to violate the Constitution. She has every right to adopt any measures she believes will aid her case, but we all know it is better to use laid-down processes.”
“The President cannot say he has a view of how things should be done… he is enjoined to act as any responsible leader is required to do, as stipulated by the 1992 Constitution,” he said.
Intimidation with choice of venue for hearing:
Justice Torkornoo claimed the choice of the venue for the hearing of the three petitions for her removal, the Adu Lodge (AL Adu Diplomatic Lodge), was deliberately selected to intimidate her.
According to her, the Adu Lodge featured very prominently in the planning of the murder of three High Court judges and her uncle, Major Sam Acquah, on June 30, 1981, and was chosen for her “trial” to make her “feel insecure”.
“Was Adu Lodge chosen for this inquiry to make me feel insecure? I think so. And I continue to hold the view that there is no reason to hold a quasi-judicial hearing behind the high walls of Adu Lodge,” she said.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu dismissed Torkornoo’s claim that the choice of Adu Lodge was to intimidate her and the suggestion that it carried any symbolic connection to the 1982 murder of judges.
“The attempt to link the dastardly killings of some Supreme Court judges and a military officer to this case is most disingenuous. These governments, and President Mahama, have nothing to do with the killings of any judge. There is absolutely no nexus between the petitions that have been brought and that unfortunate incident in our past,” he said.
He added, “The impression that a facility in the vicinity of the Osu Castle necessarily makes it intimidating or foreboding is completely misplaced.”
Threat to resign or face harm:
The embattled Chief Justice also disclosed that she has received threats and veiled warnings suggesting she will suffer harm if she refuses to resign or retire voluntarily amidst ongoing proceedings for her removal from office.
“The final and fourth reason for this statement is that I have heard on several occasions… that since it appears the current proceedings are carefully staged to result in my removal… it would be best if I simply retired or resigned.
“I have also received threats and veiled threats suggesting that if I do not resign or voluntarily retire, I will be made to suffer some harm or other consequences,” she said.
Reacting to this claim, Kwakye Ofosu said that Justice Torkornoo, more than anyone else, knows the appropriate institutions to which such threats should be reported.
“The Chief Justice, more than anybody else, perhaps in this country, should be aware of the platform that is available to address such threats. If today someone sends you a threat, you know where to go to seek redress in the matter, and that is what I will say about it,” he said.
BAI/MA
GhanaWeb Special: The gold market that fuels galamsey