Presidential staffer Beatrice Annangfio has dismissed claims that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was politically motivated, clarifying that businessman Daniel Ofori's petition against her stemmed from long-standing legal disputes rather than partisan influence.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Saturday, September 6, 2025, Annangfio explained that Ofori, one of Ghana's wealthiest businessmen and a regular litigant, had a well-documented history of legal encounters with Justice Torkornoo dating back to her days on the High Court bench.

"Daniel Ofori is not a new name to the former Chief Justice. He has had issues with her since her time as a High Court judge," Annangfio said.

FULL TEXT: Daniel Ofori's 15-page petition that led to the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo

According to her, Ofori's grievances largely stemmed from rulings delivered in a long-running case involving Ecobank, which he pursued through every level of Ghana's judicial system from the High Court to the Supreme Court and even on review.

She explained that Justice Torkornoo ruled against him in one of those cases, prompting concerns of bias.

"He later argued that based on their history and certain comments she made in other matters, Justice Torkornoo might not be impartial in any future case involving Ecobank," Annangfio noted.

The presidential aide stressed that these developments occurred years before the National Democratic Congress (NDC) assumed office, challenging claims that the administration engineered Torkornoo's removal after returning to power.

"It cannot be that the NDC came to power and within four months, removing the Chief Justice became our agenda," she asserted.

President John Dramani Mahama, in accordance with Article 146(9) of the 1992 Constitution, has removed Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office with immediate effect.

The decision follows the receipt of the report of the Committee of Inquiry established under Article 146(6) of the Constitution to investigate a petition submitted by a Ghanaian citizen, Daniel Ofori, calling for the removal of the Chief Justice.

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