Seth Acheampong, former Eastern Regional Minister, has described the removal proceedings against suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as deeply troubling and historically unprecedented.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, June 26, Acheampong warned that the treatment of the Chief Justice breaks new ground in Ghana’s democratic history, stating that no sitting head of the judiciary has ever been subjected to such a process.

“What we are doing to the Chief Justice will come back to haunt us. It is not fair and it is not right. Some judges may have gone through similar processes, but never a Chief Justice,” he cautioned.

His warning follows accusations by Justice Torkornoo herself, who has criticised the process as secretive and intimidating. She revealed that the hearings held at a high-security facility in Osu depart from established legal traditions and hinder her ability to properly defend herself.

Despite mounting pressure, Justice Torkornoo has maintained that she will not resign, insisting that doing so would legitimise “flawed, unknown, and opaque processes.”

She was suspended on April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama after a prima facie case was established in consultation with the Council of State. A five-member committee was later constituted under Article 146(6) to investigate multiple allegations of misconduct.

Although the hearings are being conducted in camera as permitted by law, Torkornoo has made four separate attempts to stop the process through the courts, all of which were dismissed by the Supreme Court.

However, Gertrude Torkonoo says her legal team has filed a judicial review at the High Court seeking to quash the ongoing proceedings for her removal again.

According to Justice Torkonoo, the process, led by the Justice Pwamang Committee, has been marred by serious procedural violations.