In December 2024, there were reports that the then President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, threw out a petition for the removal of the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, which led to criticisms of the former Head of State.

However, a leaked letter Akufo-Addo wrote to the then Council of State has shown that the former president did not dismiss the petition which was submitted to him by renowned US-based Ghanaian lawyer and scholar, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, widely known as Kwaku Azar.

The letter, which was shared by the Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, on social media, showed that Akufo-Addo had started the required legal process for the removal of the Chief Justice.

It was indicated in the letter that Akufo-Addo had asked Justice Torkornoo to respond to the petition for her removal.

The Chief Justice responded to the petition, and the former president forwarded the response to the Council of State for their consideration.

“I write further to my letter, dated 18th December 2024, to you, forwarding a copy of the petition dated 17th December 2024 from one Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare. By a letter dated 20th December 2024, I forwarded a copy of the petition to the Chief Justice, in line with the rules of natural justice and the right to a fair hearing, for her response to the allegations made against her in the petition.

“By a letter dated 23rd December 2024, the Chief Justice submitted her response to the petition together with supporting evidence. I hereby forward a copy of the Chief Justice's response and supporting documents for your consideration,” part of the letter reads.

The letter concludes, “I would be grateful for the Council's expeditious views on this matter.”

The Majority Leader also captioned the document;

“My attention has been drawn to this record of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo when Hon Dame was with the Attorney-General’s Department.”

The former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, had accused President John Dramani Mahama of violating the constitution and acting unfairly towards the Chief Justice by forwarding the petition to the Council of State without first notifying her of the allegations outlined in the petition.

Read the letter below:

My attention has been drawn to this record of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo when Hon Dame was with the Attorney-General’s Department pic.twitter.com/gNNyW1krNS

— Mahama Ayariga (@ayariga_mahama) April 15, 2025