Prominent lawyers Tsatsu Tsikata and Thadeus Sory, both affiliated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside activist lawyer Oliver Barker-Vormawor, are representing the petitioners in the investigation concerning suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
The inquiry was initiated on Thursday, 15 May 2025, a mere 24 days after the Chief Justice was suspended from her duties pending the outcome of the investigation. Reports indicate that during the committee’s initial private session, Tsatsu Tsikata and Thadeus Sory identified themselves as legal representatives for Shining Stars of Ghana, one of the three petitioners involved.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor is representing another petitioner, Daniel Ofori, while Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo, also a petitioner, is advocating for himself.
During the hearings, suspended Chief Justice Torkonoo requested that the proceedings be made public. She argued that transparency would allow Ghanaians to witness the events of the ongoing inquiry firsthand. Torkonoo emphasised that since all prior steps in the investigation had been conducted publicly, it would be just for the entire nation to participate in the process.
However, her request was denied by the committee led by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, which ruled that, in accordance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, the hearings must remain private.
President Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkonoo following a prima facie case established against her by the Council of State. In line with Article 146(6) of the Constitution, the President constituted a committee to examine the petitions brought before them. The committee is comprised of:
• Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Supreme Court Justice – Chairman
• Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, Supreme Court Justice – Member
• Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Former Auditor-General – Member
• Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, Ghana Armed Forces – Member
• Professor James Sefah Dzisah, Associate Professor, University of Ghana – Member
Additionally, the Supreme Court has dismissed a motion aimed at halting the removal process of Chief Justice Torkonoo and revoking her suspension. In a closely contested 3-2 decision, the apex court rejected the application from Old Tafo MP Ekow Assafuah, which sought to stop the proceedings initiated by President Mahama.
Chief Justice Torkonoo, who was sworn in on 12 June 2023, is the 15th Chief Justice and the third woman to hold this esteemed position in Ghana’s history. With over 20 years of judicial experience, she began her career as a High Court Justice in 2004, ascended to the Court of Appeal in 2012, and was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019.
