President of Ghana announced on Monday the dismissal of the nation’s Chief Justice following an investigation that found her guilty of alleged misconduct in office.
Gatekeepers News reports that Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkonoo, who is 61 years old, was the third woman to serve as the head of Ghana’s High Court and had assumed the position in 2023.
She was suspended after multiple complaints were filed against her. In response to these allegations, President John Mahama established a five-member commission led by another Supreme Court judge to thoroughly investigate the issues raised.
The complaints included serious accusations of falsifying judicial records and misusing public funds.
The commission found that the grounds for the alleged acts “had been established and recommended her removal from office,” a presidency statement said on Monday.
“President John Dramani Mahama has… removed the Chief Justice… from office with immediate effect,” it said.
It marked the first time that a sitting chief justice in Ghana was investigated and dismissed.
Mahama, who assumed office in January, has vowed to tackle corruption in the country.
It was not immediately clear whether Torkonoo would face any criminal charges.
