Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has officially responded to the petitions calling for her removal from office, meeting the deadline set by President John Dramani Mahama.
On Monday, April 7, 2025, sources close to the matter confirmed that Torkornoo’s legal team submitted her written response to both President Mahama and the Council of State, in line with the 10-working-day ultimatum given to her following the filing of the petition.
The petitions, submitted earlier this year, requested that the Chief Justice be removed from her position over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.
While the specific details of the allegations have not been made public, it is believed that the petitions accuse Torkornoo of engaging in actions that undermine her duties and position.
With the official response now in hand, the Council of State will begin the process of reviewing the matter.
Their task is to determine whether there is a prima facie case—an initial, sufficient case—to justify proceeding with further legal or parliamentary actions. If the Council of State finds enough evidence, it may prompt a deeper investigation or even a parliamentary process to assess whether Torkornoo’s removal is warranted.
The submission of her response is a critical moment in the constitutional process. It comes after the petitions were submitted earlier this year, prompting President Mahama to act by constitutional protocols.
As part of the process, Mahama referred the matter to the Council of State and Torkornoo, ensuring that all parties involved could present their positions before any formal action was taken.
The outcome of the Council’s review is now highly anticipated as it will determine the next steps in this high-profile case.
Should the Council of State find a prima facie case against the Chief Justice, further investigations and parliamentary proceedings may follow, potentially leading to her removal from office.
This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal and political processes that govern the conduct of high-ranking public officials, ensuring that they are held accountable for any actions that may undermine their office.
The response from Chief Justice Torkornoo is seen as an important step in defending her integrity and position, while the Council of State’s review process will determine whether the matter proceeds to the next stage of legal and constitutional proceedings.