Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, of being part of what he describes as a “grand conspiracy” that led to the removal of his predecessor, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
According to him, some Supreme Court judges, including Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, deliberately worked against Justice Torkornoo in an effort to pave the way for a change in leadership of the Judiciary.
He alleged that the petition that triggered the removal process was part of a broader effort to force Justice Torkornoo out of office, insisting that the process was not properly completed.
“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 on Atinka TV on Monday, August 17.
He further claimed that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges who allegedly opposed Justice Torkornoo had their own interests in the leadership of the Judiciary.
“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, who was appointed Chief Justice in June 2023, became the first Chief Justice under Ghana’s Fourth Republic to be removed from office.
Her removal followed a petition submitted to President John Dramani Mahama and a subsequent process under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides the procedure for the removal of superior court judges.
The decision has generated significant public debate, with some members of the legal community and civil society raising concerns about the fairness and transperence of the proceedings.