From L to R: Justices Baffoe-Bonnie, Omoro Tanko, Yonny Kulendi, Gabriel Pwamang, and Lovelace-Johnson
Chief Justice Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo is rumored to have been suspended by President John Dramani Mahama.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, disclosed that the president had been presented with three distinct petitions demanding the Chief Justice's dismissal.

Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, responded by submitting a writ to the Supreme Court, requesting a ruling that President Mahama's choice to refer the petitions to the Council of State for review was unconstitutional.

The MP claims that the constitution requires the president to consult the Council of State after notifying the Chief Justice of the petitions and giving her a chance to reply.

During this legal and political impasse, there have been several rumors claiming that Chief Justice Torkornoo has been suspended.

Let us examine some of the possible successors to the Chief Justice position in the event that her removal is formally verified as the situation develops.

His Lordship Justice Pwamang Gabriel

Currently serving on the Supreme Court, Justice Pwamang has presided over panels of justices in a number of well-known cases.

On the Judicial Council's suggestion, the administration of then-President John Dramani Mahama appointed him in 2015.

He worked as a managing partner at Pwamang and Associates and as a private attorney.

Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Her Ladyship

Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson is a native of the Central Region's Mankessim.

She started her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney and is a graduate of Aburi Girls' Senior High School and Wesley Girls' High School.

She began serving on the bench in 1994 and advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2012 and a judge in the High Court in 2002.

She has held important leadership positions in court administration and legal advocacy in addition to her time on the Ghanaian bench.

His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi

After graduating from the University of Ghana with an LLB, Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi was admitted to the bar in 1994.

He graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School in California, USA, with a Master's degree in International Security and Civil-Military Relations.

He completed his pupillage at Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. Chambers after completing his national service at the Legal Aid Board.

He became Ghana's first justice from the Upper West Region after President Nana Akufo-Addo nominated him to the Supreme Court in March 2020.

Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, His Lordship

Before attending the University of Ghana to obtain a law degree, Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu started his schooling at Dodowa.

After that, he attended the Ghana School of Law to further his professional development.

He has practiced law for 19 years in Ghana and Nigeria, where he eventually founded his own legal office.

He began working in Ghana's court in 2008, and President Nana Akufo-Addo elevated him to the Supreme Court in 2020.

His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie attended Konongo Odumase Secondary School after starting her schooling at Goaso.

He attended the Ghana School of Law and the University of Ghana to study law.

He served on the Supreme Court panel that decided the historic 2012 election petition, which denied attempts to void millions of votes. He is an experienced member of the judiciary.

He is a noteworthy candidate because of his vast judicial expertise.

As the legal and political drama develops, political agreement and constitutional interpretation may ultimately determine who will head the judiciary.


https://www.ghanamma.com/2025/04/20/whos-next-here-are-possible-replacements-for-cj-amid-suspension-rumours/