The Supreme Court has, in a 4–1 majority ruling, thrown out a case filed by the Centre for Citizenship, Constitutional and Electoral Systems (CenCES), which challenged President John Mahama’s suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and sought to halt the inquiry into her possible removal.
The court’s five-member panel, led by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, sided with the presidency, allowing the work of the investigative committee to proceed. Justice Yaw Asare Darko was the sole dissenter.
CenCES had contended that the President’s actions violated constitutional provisions guaranteeing judicial independence and due process.
The group argued that the prima facie case used to trigger the Chief Justice’s suspension was flawed and unconstitutional, as it did not follow procedures outlined in Article 146 of the Constitution.
In its suit filed on May 15, 2025, CenCES sought to invalidate the suspension warrant and disband the committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang.
The group also asked the court to bar the Chief Justice from engaging with any part of the process due to a perceived conflict of interest.
Despite the strong constitutional arguments presented, the apex court upheld the President’s authority, clearing the way for the investigative proceedings to continue.
Meanwhile, a second challenge from a private citizen, Theodore Kofi Atta-Quartey, is also before the court. He is seeking an injunction on the committee’s work pending the outcome of his case.
