UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers Urge Mahama to Reinstatement of Suspended Chief Justice

The Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association have issued a joint appeal urging President John Dramani Mahama to immediately reinstate the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, and ensure she receives due and fair process.

In a statement released on August 14, 2025, the two bodies cited Ghana’s strong legal tradition and constitutional obligations, calling for transparent procedural rules and clearly defined timelines for the ongoing inquiry into Justice Torkornoo’s conduct  .

Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, 2025, after the President—acting under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution—established a prima facie case against her, based on three undisclosed petitions. A five-member committee was subsequently appointed to investigate the allegations, with Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie stepping in as acting Chief Justice during the proceedings  .

The joint legal statement criticized the inquiry process, highlighting concerns such as the use of witnesses in lieu of personal appearances by petitioners and alleged mistreatment of Torkornoo’s legal team. They warned such practices may compromise the fairness of the process and the independence of Ghana’s judiciary  .

Leader of Ghana’s opposition and various civil society groups have similarly condemned the suspension as unconstitutional and politically motivated, demanding Justice Torkornoo’s reinstatement and adherence to due process  .

As debates continue, the former Chief Justice has challenged the suspension both domestically and at the regional ECOWAS Court, while her supporters call on both national authorities and international legal bodies to uphold the rule of law.