Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine has defended President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, insisting that the move is both constitutional and justified.
President Mahama suspended the Chief Justice on April 22, 2025, following the establishment of a prima facie case against her based on petitions filed by private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and civic group Shining Stars of Ghana.
A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the allegations in accordance with Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
At a press briefing in Accra, Dr. Ayine dismissed criticisms from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which had called for the immediate revocation of the suspension on grounds of unconstitutionality.
“We believe that he, President Mahama has not violated the Constitution. And there’s no reason why he should reverse the decision.
GBA’s statement, issued on April 26, argued that the suspension lacked legal backing, citing Article 296 of the Constitution and the absence of a published Constitutional or Statutory Instrument guiding the President’s discretion in such matters.
However, Dr. Ayine maintained that President Mahama acted fully in compliance with the law, asserting that the suspension followed the constitutional provisions governing judicial accountability.
