Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and some Supreme Court judges of conspiring to remove former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Mr Afenyo-Markin alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was among judges who worked against Justice Torkornoo as part of an effort to facilitate a change in the leadership of the Judiciary.
Speaking on Atinka TV on Monday, August 17, the Minority Leader described the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal as a “grand conspiracy” and questioned the manner in which the process was handled.
“It was a grand conspiracy. I have said so, and I have not minced words on that. My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie was part of the grand conspiracy against his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo,” Mr Afenyo-Markin said.
He further alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges who opposed Justice Torkornoo had personal interests in who would eventually lead the Judiciary.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also suggested that Justice Torkornoo could return to office if the New Patriotic Party (NPP) wins power.
“If the NPP comes to power, I don’t know why she won’t be reinstated. Of course, she will be reinstated,” he stated.
Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was appointed Chief Justice in June 2023 and became the first Chief Justice of Ghana’s Fourth Republic to be removed from office.
Her removal followed a petition submitted to then-President John Dramani Mahama and a subsequent process under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which sets out the procedure for the removal of superior court judges.
Mr Afenyo-Markin’s comments add to the growing debate over the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal, particularly questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
