Attorney-General Challenges Torkornoo’s Bid to Halt Removal Probe
The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, filed a motion on July 1, 2025, to dismiss suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s judicial review application at the Human Rights Division of the High Court. The motion, supported by an affidavit from State Attorney Reginald Nii Odoi, argues that Torkornoo’s case has legal flaws, including a “grave misstatement of capacity,” and should be struck out.
Torkornoo, suspended on April 22, 2025, by President Mahama after three petitions alleging misconduct, sought a judicial review to challenge the removal process under Article 146. The state claims her issues, like objections to the probe committee’s fairness, are already being handled by the Supreme Court or were resolved, citing cases like Torkornoo v. Attorney-General (J8/113/2025).
The Attorney-General argues that Torkornoo’s application lacks jurisdiction and repeats claims dismissed by the Supreme Court on May 28, 2025, when it struck out her affidavit for violating in-camera rules. She had alleged rights violations, including invasive searches and biased committee members like Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. The state insists these concerns are baseless or under review elsewhere.
Torkornoo’s press conference on June 25, 2025, sparked debate, with the Ghana Bar Association and others calling her suspension a threat to judicial independence. Critics like lawyer Victoria Bright said her public comments risked breaching constitutional rules by seeking public judgment. The Attorney-General maintains the process is lawful and urges the court to dismiss her case to uphold procedure.
The High Court will rule on the motion soon, deciding if Torkornoo’s challenge can proceed. The case has raised tensions, with supporters warning of political motives, while the government defends the probe as necessary for accountability. The outcome could shape Ghana’s judicial system and public trust in its fairness.