The Chief Justice (CJ) has been suspended after prima facie case was made against her following three petitions seeking her removal.
President John Mahama made the decision after consulting with the Council of State. In the meantime, a Supreme Court judge is set to fill in as the Acting Chief Justice until the investigation is completed.
Legal expert Martin Kpebu believes Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge, will assume the role. The constitution mandates that the most senior Supreme Court justice takes over in the absence of the Chief Justice.
Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai also confirmed this process, emphasizing that the judiciary will handle the transition accordingly.
A 5-member committee has been formed to investigate the petitions against the CJ, chaired by Supreme Court judge Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.
President Mahama’s suspension of the CJ is in line with the constitution and the Council of State’s advice, pending the committee’s findings.
The petitions are related to questionable foreign trips taken by the CJ and her family members, with auditors recommending the retrieval of funds for these trips. The audit also flagged similar travel expenses by the CJ’s predecessor, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.
This marks the first attempt to remove a CJ since 1992, with the fate of Justice Torkornoo resting on the committee’s findings.