Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has publicly released the full contents of petitions seeking her removal, including a detailed submission from Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ayamga Yakubu Akolgo.
Akolgo’s petition, filed under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, Section 16 of the Judicial Service Act, and the Judicial Code of Conduct, alleges serious misconduct stemming from a Supreme Court session on November 14, 2023.
According to the petition, Chief Justice Torkornoo dismissed Akolgo’s application and then made “off-judgment demeaning remarks” questioning his competence as a senior barrister. Akolgo states he responded calmly, saying “I disagree.” He alleges the Chief Justice then ordered his immediate arrest and detention, an action he describes as “unilateral, illegal, and humiliating.”
The petition outlines several specific allegations. Akolgo contends his arrest lacked any legal basis under Ghana’s Criminal Procedure Act, 1960 (Act 30). He further asserts the incident was deliberately omitted from the official court record, thereby denying him any procedural recourse to challenge the action. Akolgo also alleges a subsequent court search report falsely denied the arrest occurred, claiming these statements were fabricated under the Chief Justice’s direction to conceal the event.
In total, ACP Akolgo’s petition presents 16 counts of alleged misconduct against Chief Justice Torkornoo. These charges include abuse of office, unlawful arrest, failure to properly document court proceedings, and fabrication of evidence. The petition argues these actions have brought the integrity and reputation of Ghana’s judiciary into disrepute. The allegations now form part of the constitutional process under Article 146, which mandates investigation and potential removal of superior court judges for stated misbehaviour or incompetence.
Read the full petition below:
