In a stunning turn of events, Ghanaian President John Mahama has suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, marking an unprecedented moment in the nation's history. The suspension comes in response to three undisclosed petitions calling for her permanent removal, triggering a wave of debate and concern over the independence of the judiciary.

Chief justices in Ghana hold a constitutionally protected position, with removal from office only permissible under specific circumstances such as incompetence or misbehavior. The precise details of the allegations against Ms. Torkornoo remain confidential, and she has yet to issue a public statement.

The suspension has drawn sharp criticism, with former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame denouncing the move as an attack on the judiciary. "I think it is a complete charade," Dame told RNG247. "It's the biggest assault on the [judiciary] in the nation's history, the greatest assault on the independence of the judiciary under the constitutional dispensation of this country."

Appointed in 2023 by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, Ms. Torkornoo is the third woman to hold the esteemed position of chief justice, responsible for overseeing the administration of justice throughout Ghana.

Earlier this year, Ms. Torkornoo faced a similar removal request, which was ultimately dismissed by former President Akufo-Addo due to "several deficiencies" in the petition.

Initially, copies of the three recently filed petitions were withheld from Ms. Torkornoo, sparking legal challenges based on the grounds of fair hearing rights. Following these concerns, the petitions were made available to the chief justice, allowing her to provide a written response to the allegations.

A five-member committee will now invite Ms. Torkornoo to address the petitions, after which a final determination will be made regarding her potential removal from office. The outcome of this investigation will undoubtedly have significant implications for the integrity and autonomy of Ghana's judicial system.