Baffoe-Bonnie, some Supreme Court judges conspired to remove Torkornoo – Afenyo-Markin alleges

Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of being part of what he described as a “grand conspiracy” that led to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

The Effutu Member of Parliament alleged that some Supreme Court judges, including Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, deliberately worked against Justice Torkornoo in an effort to force her out of office and pave the way for changes in the leadership of Ghana’s Judiciary.

Speaking on Atinka TV on Monday, August 17, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin maintained that the petition that triggered the removal process formed part of a broader effort to remove Justice Torkornoo from the position.

“It was a grand conspiracy. I have said so, and I have not minced words on that. My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie was part of the grand conspiracy against his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo,” he said.

The Minority Leader further alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges who opposed Justice Torkornoo had personal interests in who would eventually lead the Judiciary.

He questioned the legitimacy of the process that resulted in her removal, arguing that the constitutional procedure was not properly completed.

Mr Afenyo-Markin also suggested that a future New Patriotic Party (NPP) government could reverse the decision and reinstate the former Chief Justice.

“If the NPP comes to power, I don’t know why she won’t be reinstated. Of course, she will be reinstated,” he stated.

The allegations represent a fresh escalation in the political debate surrounding the removal of Justice Torkornoo and the circumstances surrounding the change in leadership of the Judiciary.

Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was appointed Chief Justice in June 2023, becoming one of the prominent judicial figures of Ghana's Fourth Republic.

Her removal followed a petition submitted to President John Dramani Mahama and a subsequent constitutional process under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which provides the procedure for the removal of superior court judges.

The process and its outcome have generated considerable public discussion, particularly among political actors, members of the legal profession and civil society organisations.

Some stakeholders have raised questions about aspects of the proceedings, including concerns over fairness, transparency and the constitutional basis for the removal.

However, Afenyo-Markin's latest comments go further by directly alleging that the current Chief Justice was involved in efforts against his predecessor.

The allegations are likely to add to the continuing debate over judicial independence, the constitutional process for removing superior court judges and the relationship between Ghana's political institutions and the Judiciary.

Mr Afenyo-Markin did not provide detailed evidence in the remarks cited to substantiate his allegation of a conspiracy involving Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.

The Chief Justice has yet to publicly respond to the latest allegations.

The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive period for Ghana's Judiciary, with broader discussions ongoing about judicial administration, legal vacation arrangements and the conduct of proceedings involving high-profile political and legal cases.