Lawyer Ayikoi Otoo, lead counsel for former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Torkornoo, has condemned her removal from office.

According to him, Torkonoo’s removal is unconstitutional and a grave threat to judicial independence.

In a statement on September 24, 2025, Otoo said the process that culminated in her removal was fraught with procedural violations, suppression of evidence, and disregard for pending judicial and international cases.

He warned that the development sets a dangerous constitutional precedent that risks subjugating the judiciary to political control.

He further argued that the constitutional provisions under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution were not followed.

“This incident sets a dangerous precedent that signals subordination of the judiciary to the executive arm of government. The removal of a sitting Chief Justice, a head of an arm of government, without due process, amidst ongoing judicial challenges, signals an alarming erosion of judicial independence and constitutional balance,” he said.

Otoo added that five cases are pending before the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the removal, alongside a case before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which has yet to rule on an application seeking Justice Torkornoo’s reinstatement.

Proceeding with her removal while these cases remain unresolved, he said, undermines both domestic and international judicial processes.

Despite President John Dramani Mahama’s reliance on the committee’s report, Otoo stated that Justice Torkornoo has not been given a copy of the recommendations, denying her the opportunity to respond fully to the findings against her.

“The removal of a sitting Chief Justice, the head of an arm of government, without due process, amidst ongoing judicial challenges, signals an alarming erosion of judicial independence and constitutional balance,” he stated.

The lawyer urged the legal fraternity, civil society, Parliament, and the international community to rise in defence of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

He called on President Mahama to do what he termed as the right things that line up with the oath of office, and on the Judiciary to insist on procedural justice.

“We call on His Excellency the President to do the right things that line up with the oath of office dictated by the Constitution,” he added.

According to him, the former Chief Justice is not desperate to remain in office but is determined to fight for the rule of law, her rights as a citizen, and the protection of Ghana’s democracy.

“The strength of a democracy is tested not when all is well, but when difficult questions must be asked of those who wield power. Today, we ask: What is the value of constitutional safeguards if they can be violated so easily, under pretence of compliance? Let us, as a nation, reject the politicized domination of the Judiciary and remain vigilant stewards of our Constitution.

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo sacked

“Let us remain vigilant and united in our commitment to deepening, not weakening, of the rule of law and tenets of justice, constitutionalism, and the preservation of the separation of powers. The Chief Justice is not in the least desperate to stay in office. She is fighting for what is right for the Country, for the rule of law, and for her rights, as a citizen in a constitutional democracy,” he added.

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