CJ Torkonoo’s removal will go down as one of Mahama’s best decisions — Solomon Owusu

A leading member of the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu, has applauded President John Dramani Mahama over the removal of Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkonoo as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court.

He described the move, which was announced by the Presidency in a statement on Monday, September 1, as one of the best decisions ever taken by President Mahama.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3’s New Day show on Tuesday, September 2, the Movement for Change communicator said future generations will be pleased with the decision.

“Removal of Gertrude Torkonoo as Chief Justice will go down in history as one of the best this President Mahama will do.

“If there is anything that this President has done that will go down in history as one of the best decisions will be this one. The unborn generation will come and applaud this decision,” he said.

Mrs. Torkonoo was removed as both Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court by President Mahama after a five-member committee completed its inquiry into a petition against her.

The probe committee cited three key findings that formed the basis of her removal.

It accused her of causing the Judicial Service to pay for her husband and daughter’s private holiday trips in 2023, describing the action as “an avoidable and reckless dissipation of public funds.”

She was also found to have abused her discretionary powers in handling the transfer of a judicial officer, Mr. Baiden, in breach of Article 296 of the Constitution.

The report also said she interfered in judicial appointments by attempting to bypass the laid-down process for nominating Supreme Court judges, contrary to precedent established in the Ghana Bar Association case.