Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior member of Ghana’s Supreme Court, has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice following the suspension of Justice Gertrude Araba Esaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s elevation is in line with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which provides that:
“Where the office of Chief Justice is vacant, or where the Chief Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office –
(a) until a person has been appointed to, and has assumed the functions of, that office; or
(b) until the person, holding that office has resumed the functions of that office;
as the case may be, those functions shall be performed by the most senior of the Justices of the Supreme Court.”
Appointed to the nation’s highest court in June 2008 by former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has served for over a decade, earning distinction as a seasoned judicial figure and now stepping into a critical leadership role during a sensitive period for the judiciary.
Suspension of the Chief Justice
The change in leadership comes after President John Dramani Mahama ordered the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. This action follows the submission of multiple petitions against her, prompting a formal inquiry into her conduct.
A statement signed by the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, and released on Tuesday, April 22, explained that the President’s decision was based on advice from the Council of State, in accordance with Article 146(6) of the Constitution.
The statement noted that:”There is a prima facie case for the Chief Justice to respond to.”
Investigation Committee Formed
In light of this development, a five-member committee has been formed to assess the allegations contained in the petitions. The committee will be chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, also of the Supreme Court.
Other members include:
- Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, Supreme Court Justice
- Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General
- Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces
- Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana
The committee is tasked with conducting a thorough review to determine the merit of the claims and recommend the next steps in accordance with constitutional procedures.
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