A petition filed by Ghanaian citizen Daniel Ofori has culminated in the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo from office.
The petition, lodged under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, triggered a constitutional process that began with the establishment of a committee under Article 146(6) to investigate the allegations.
After a thorough review, the committee found sufficient grounds of stated misbehaviour as outlined in Article 146(1).
On the strength of the committee’s report, President John Dramani Mahama acted in accordance with Article 146(9) to formally remove the Chief Justice.
The announcement was made on September 1, 2025, by Minister for Government Communications and presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu.
Chief Justice Torkonoo’s dismissal marks a rare instance of a sitting head of the judiciary being removed through a citizen-led petition, highlighting the constitutional checks on holders of the nation’s highest offices.
