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President John Dramani Mahama expressed his disappointment that a letter from Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo appeared on social media before he had the chance to receive it personally.
The Chief Justice had taken the formal step of writing to President Mahama, asking for copies of petitions that called for her removal from office.
In a detailed letter addressed to both the President and the Council of State on March 27, Justice Gertrude Torkonoo asked for seven days to examine the petitions thoroughly. She wanted to ensure she could respond properly before any Committee of Inquiry was established to investigate the matter.
“I am by this letter humbly and respectfully asking His Excellency the President and eminent members of the Council of State to forward the petition against me to me, and allow me at least seven days after receipt of same, to provide my response to you, which response can then form part of the material that you conduct the consultations anticipated under 146 (6) before the possible setting up of a Committee of Inquiry under article 146(7),” the Chief Justice said in her letter.
The Chief Justice’s response comes two days after President Mahama forwarded three petitions calling for the removal of the Chief Justice to the Council of State for further action.
Despite these efforts, the Chief Justice pointed out that, two days after the President took action, she still had not received the petition copies. These documents were sent to the Council of State and were expected to be the foundation for discussions about her possible removal from office.
But in response, the Executive Secretary to the President, Calistus Mahama said “His Excellency has received three petitions from three individuals requesting your removal as Chief Justice. Two are dated 14th February 2025, and the third is dated 17th March 2025. Copies of the three petitions are attached.
“Following receipt of these petitions, on 24th March 2025, His Excellency wrote to the Chairman of the Council of State forwarding the petitions and informing Council that, in accordance with the consultation process required under Article 146(6), he intends, as an initial step, to send the petitions to you for your preliminary comments or response.
“On 27th March 2025, His Excellency received responses from the Chairman of the Council of State consenting to this request. Copies of these letters are also attached.
“Upon receipt of the petitions, His Excellency was advised that per Frank Agyei ceipt of the peti Twum v Attorney General and Bright Akwetey [2005-2006] SCGLR 732, the confidentiality attached to proceedings under Article 146 also extends to documents and other relevant material employed in the proceedings.
“His Excellency, however, notes with disappointment that your letter of 27th March 2025 addressed to him was circulating on social media even before he could review its contents. The letter was reportedly shared as an attachment to another letter you wrote to the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges and the President of the Ghana Bar Association.”
It added “His Excellency has received three petitions from three individuals requesting your removal as Chief Justice. Two are dated 14th February 2025, and the third is dated 17th March 2025. Copies of the three petitions are attached.
“Following receipt of these petitions, on 24th March 2025, His Excellency wrote to the Chairman of the Council of State forwarding the petitions and informing Council that, in accordance with the consultation process required under Article 146(6), he intends, as an initial step, to send the petitions to you for your preliminary comments or response.”
NKONKONSA.com
