Chief Justice Faces 10-Day Ultimatum Following Petitions for Her Removal

Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo is under pressure to respond to three petitions calling for her removal from office.

The petitions, which have generated widespread debate, have raised concerns over her conduct and whether she is fit to continue serving in the position.

President John Dramani Mahama has set a 10-day deadline for Chief Justice Torkonoo to address the petitions, which will determine whether the matter progresses to a formal inquiry.

The petitions have stirred public discourse, but the details of the allegations have not been made publicly available, creating a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Chief Justice’s future.

On March 27, Chief Justice Torkonoo sent a letter to President Mahama and the Council of State, requesting copies of the petitions against her, which she claimed had been withheld.

In the letter, Torkonoo expressed concern over being denied access to the documents, despite the Presidency acknowledging the petitions’ existence.

She argued that her constitutional rights required her to be informed of the allegations so that she could adequately respond.

In her letter, Torkonoo emphasized the importance of fairness in legal proceedings, stating, “It is the most fundamental precept of the common law and our constitutional dispensation that no consideration that affects the rights of a defendant can be made unless the defendant has been given notice of the contents of a charge and an opportunity to respond.”

Her request for transparency in the process has placed the President and the Council of State in a position where they must make a decision on how to move forward.

This development could significantly shape the legal and constitutional process, and the 10-day deadline will be pivotal in determining the next steps.

As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how Chief Justice Torkonoo’s response influences the direction of this high-stakes issue.

Her future in office may depend on whether the matter moves forward to a full investigation or if the allegations are dismissed.