On March 17, 2025, a private Ghanaian citizen, Daniel Ofori set in motion an action which cumulated in the unprecedented removal of a serving Ghanaian Chief Justice from Office.
Premised on the provisions of Article 146 (1) of the 1992 Constitution, the petition addressed to President John Dramani Mahama demanded the removal of Justice Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the 15th and third female Chief Justice of the Republic Ghana on grounds of stated misbehaviour. "I, the undersigned, respectfully petition Your Excellency for the removal of the Honourable Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo CJ on grounds of "stated misbehaviour" and "incompetence" under Article 146 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana," the petitioner said.
As part of his petition, Daniel Ofori listed 25 specific issues against the Chief Justice based on which he demanded her removal. "I state below twenty-one (21) specific allegations of misbehaviour of the Honourable Chief Justice and four (4) allegations of incompetence, all of which relate to the Honourable Chief Justice's discharge of her administrative roles and functions as head of the Judiciary, responsible for its supervision and administration," he wrote.
Among the allegations were claims of financial misconduct, improper case transfer, administrative malpractices as well as tampering with court records.
