On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Ghana’s Supreme Court struck out an additional affidavit filed by the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, in her legal effort to block proceedings aimed at removing her from office.
Torkonoo had submitted the affidavit in support of her injunction request, arguing that she was being treated unfairly and that the ongoing investigation into her conduct was merely a ploy to push her out. In the document, she claimed the process disrespected her dignity and labelled it as deceptive and unserious.
However, the Supreme Court rejected the affidavit, ruling that it violated constitutional rules regarding confidentiality. The panel of five justices sided with the deputy Attorney General, Justice Srem Sai, who raised a strong objection. He argued that Torkonoo had improperly disclosed details of a closed-door committee investigation—an act that breaches Article 146(8) of Ghana’s Constitution, which mandates that such proceedings must be held in private.
Although Torkonoo’s lawyer, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, contended that the affidavit was submitted only to the court and not made public, the judges disagreed. They ruled that even submitting confidential details into court records constituted a violation of the secrecy required by law.
As a result, the affidavit has been removed entirely from the case. This ruling weakens Torkonoo’s legal strategy as she attempts to halt the inquiry into her possible removal, and it underscores the court’s strict adherence to confidentiality in matters involving top judicial officials.
