Torkornoo meets Mahama’s deadline in response to ouster petitions

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has officially submitted her preliminary response to President John Dramani Mahama following multiple petitions calling for her removal from office, in a move that marks a crucial step in a high-stakes constitutional process.

The response was submitted on Monday, 7 April, just before the expiration of the 10-working-day window granted by the President. Sources indicate that copies of her written response were delivered to both the Presidency and the Council of State in accordance with constitutional protocol.

The petitions, filed last month, have triggered widespread legal debate and public interest, with questions raised about the appropriate constitutional steps for handling such a matter. In an earlier letter to the President, Justice Torkornoo had requested copies of the petitions and asked for additional time—no less than seven days—to respond, citing the importance of due process and fairness.

With the Chief Justice’s response now formally submitted, the Council of State is expected to begin its review, assessing whether a prima facie case exists to warrant further action. This review is a critical component of the consultative process outlined under Article 146(6) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Should the Council find sufficient grounds, a formal committee may be established to investigate the allegations against the Chief Justice—a process that could have far-reaching implications for the judiciary and the constitutional balance of power.

Meanwhile, the controversy has also moved into the courts. The Supreme Court is set to hear a case on 9 April filed by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo. The suit challenges the legality of President Mahama initiating the removal process without prior notification to the Chief Justice, raising constitutional questions about the separation of powers and procedural propriety.