The Supreme Court, presided over by the Acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has struck out the supplementary affidavit filed by the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo.
In a unanimous decision, the Court ruled that the supplementary affidavit disclosed information that, under Article 146 of the Constitution, is required to be kept in camera.
Accordingly, the Court struck out the affidavit.
In her supplementary affidavit filed on May 26, 2025, Torkornoo alleged that her fundamental rights were being violated.
According to her, the committee ignored the pending court case and continued to schedule hearings.
She also claimed she was subjected to distressing conditions during her appearance before the committee, including being searched, having her electronic devices confiscated, and being denied entry alongside her spouse and children.
“Other developments, like the denial of access into the hearing room for my husband and children, searches on my body, denial of access to telephones and laptops for myself and my lawyers (even though counsel for petitioners have access to their phones and laptops), and the conduct of the hearing itself in a high-security zone at the premises of the Castle, Osu, show a deliberate effort to subject me to mental torture and degrading treatment in violation of my fundamental rights,” she stated.
Additionally, she raised concerns about the committee’s decision to permit third parties to testify on behalf of the petitioners rather than requiring the petitioners to present their own evidence.
The Supreme Court has already dismissed four suits challenging the petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal.
Following a determination of a prima facie case in three separate petitions, President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo and established a five-member committee to investigate the matter.
In the interim, Supreme Court Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice. His appointment aligns with Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that the most senior Justice of the Supreme Court shall act as Chief Justice when the position becomes vacant or when the incumbent is unable to perform their duties.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
