See suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo's response to each of her accusers

In an address to the nation on June 25, 2025, suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo delivered a defence against the allegations levelled against her, describing them as unfounded and politically driven. 

She refuted each claim and countered what she termed "a carefully staged attempt" to remove her from office.

Travel expenses

One of the key allegations accused her of misusing public funds to finance family trips. Justice Torkornoo clarified that her travel arrangements, including tickets for her husband and daughter, were in line with her official entitlements as Chief Justice.

"The Judicial Service Travel Policy since 2010 mandates that the Chief Justice cannot travel alone for security reasons and is permitted to be accompanied by family members," she stated. She also refuted claims of unaccounted imprest, producing records showing she returned $9,600 of a $14,000 advance, with receipts for the remaining expenditure.

Case transfers

Petitioner Daniel Ofori had accused her of improperly transferring his cases. Justice Torkornoo explained that one transfer occurred because the original judge faced a family emergency, while another was due to a standard judicial policy of consolidating related cases.

"These decisions were administrative, not personal," she said, adding that Ofori had previously won a case in which she dissented, proving she held no bias against him.

Staff appointments and terminations

She denied allegations of wrongful staff transfers and dismissals, stating that all actions were based on established disciplinary procedures and Judicial Council decisions, some made before her tenure as Chief Justice.

"How can I be held responsible for decisions taken in 2015 when I was not even Chief Justice?" she questioned.

Supreme Court decisions

Addressing complaints about her judicial rulings, including an order to arrest petitioner Ayamga Akolgo, she emphasised that Supreme Court decisions are collective.

"No judge sits alone. Every ruling is by a panel, and Article 127(3) of the Constitution protects judges from suits over judicial acts," she noted. She also pointed out that Akolgo’s own exhibit contradicted his claim, as media reports confirmed he was disruptive in court.

"Shinning Stars" petition

She dismissed the petition from the group "Shinning Stars," noting that it was not a legally recognised entity. Their complaint, that she failed to hear Parliament’s Speaker in a case, was also flawed, as rulings are made by the full bench, not individually.

Beyond refuting the allegations, Justice Torkornoo framed the proceedings as an attack on Ghana’s judiciary.

"If this succeeds, no judge will be free from political intimidation," she warned, urging Ghanaians to defend constitutional governance.