Attorney-General defends Chief Justice suspension, rebukes Foreign Bar Associations

Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has strongly defended the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude A.E.S. Torkornoo, insisting the action strictly follows the country’s constitutional provisions and does not undermine judicial independence.

In a detailed press release issued on Friday, the Attorney-General responded to a joint statement by the Bar Council of England and Wales (BCEW) and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), which had expressed concern over the Chief Justice’s suspension.

According to the statement, three separate petitions from Ghanaian citizens alleging misconduct and incompetence triggered the process under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The petitions were reviewed by the Council of State, which found a prima facie case and advised the President to establish an inquiry committee.

The committee, comprising two Supreme Court justices and three eminent non-lawyer members, is currently investigating the allegations. Pending its findings, Justice Torkornoo has been suspended from office.

Hon. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine stressed that the process safeguards due process, as the Chief Justice is entitled to legal representation of her choice and has been actively defended by a distinguished team of lawyers since proceedings began on May 15, 2025. He dismissed claims of undue delay as “grossly misplaced.”

The Attorney-General also rejected suggestions of constitutional overreach, pointing out that both the Supreme Court and High Court had dismissed attempts by Justice Torkornoo and her associates to halt the inquiry. He further noted that the BCEW and CLA’s concerns mirrored arguments already dismissed by Ghana’s courts.

The release urged international legal bodies to respect Ghana’s constitutional processes, stressing that the inquiry is being conducted fairly, transparently, and in strict adherence to the law.