Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the judiciary to unite and resist what he described as a politically motivated attempt to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The Effutu MP also urged the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to speak out and condemn the move.
“All we need is to have an impartial judiciary to dispense justice. What is happening is unacceptable. And it is clear that the NDC government wants to infiltrate the judiciary and make it partisan. But my advice to all the judges in the country is to stand together.
“After dislodging one of you, you will be the next. So, judges in the country must stand together. The judiciary must stand as one body,” the MP warned.
Afenyo-Markin made these statements after an emergency New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Executive Committee meeting, where the Oquaye-led Committee presented its report on the 2024 election defeat.
He accused certain individuals within the government of orchestrating the potential removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo, with the aim of undermining the independence of the judiciary.
“We’re also concerned about certain individuals in government pushing for the removal of the Chief Justice. The judiciary should not be seen as part of the political system in our country,” he said.
The controversy stems from three petitions filed between February 14 and March 17, 2025, seeking the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo. These petitions allege misconduct and incompetence, and have been submitted to the Presidency.
President John Mahama has since forwarded the petitions to the Council of State for advice, in line with the procedures outlined under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution.
However, Old Tafo Member of Parliament, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has filed a suit at the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutional process initiated by President Mahama.
Mr. Assafuah argues that Chief Justice Torkornoo should have been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the President consulted the Council of State, as required under Article 146(6) of the Constitution. He contends that bypassing this step infringes upon her right to a fair hearing and threatens the independence of the judiciary.
Following the suit, President Mahama granted the Chief Justice 10 days to respond to the petitions, which she has since done.
