Ghana president Mahama suspends chief justice, statement says

The president initiates an investigation in response to three petitions filed against the chief justice

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo with immediate effect and initiated an investigation in response to three petitions filed against her, a statement said.

After consultations with the Council of State, the president "determined that a prima facie case has been established," and a committee has been set up to look at the petitions, according to the statement from his office.

The statement did not give details of the accusations in each petition. Ghana's presidential office could not be immediately reached for further comments.

Chief Justice Torkornoo, Ghana's third female justice, was nominated by former president Nana Akufo-Addo and has held the position since June 2023.

Justice Torkornoo survived a removal request earlier this year when President Akufo-Addo said a petition to have her removed from the bench had "several deficiencies.