Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama has dismissed the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, following the outcome of a high-level investigation into allegations of falsifying judicial records and misusing public funds.
A five-member commission, chaired by a Supreme Court judge and set up by Mahama, concluded that the allegations against the country’s top judicial officer were substantiated and recommended her removal.
‘After considering the petition and the evidence, the committee found that the grounds of stated misbehaviour under Article 146(1) had been established and recommended her removal from office’, said the spokesperson to the President, Felix Ofosu, in a statement on Monday.
‘President John Dramani Mahama has accordingly removed the Chief Justice from office with immediate effect’.
The dismissal marks the first time a sitting Chief Justice in Ghana has been investigated and dismissed from office.
While Mahama, who took office in January, has repeatedly pledged to intensify the fight against corruption, it remains unclear whether the embattled Chief Justice, Torkonoo will face criminal prosecution.
