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Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a social activist and private legal practitioner, has alleged that the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) wrote to the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers to issue a statement on Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension.
In a social media post, Oliver Barker-Vormawor wrote, “The Ghana Bar Association wrote to the UK Bar Council and Commonwealth Lawyers asking them to issue a statement. The statement has been issued. Case closed.
But forget about that for a second. Araba has filed 10,000 frivolous cases. She has lost all.
Reinstate her so that she will use the Courts to now litigate her personal grievances? Hasn’t that ship sailed by now, cos of her conduct?
When Araba is finally cleared, I swear she can even use the Judiciary to declare Bawumia the winner of the 2024 elections. Advise me”, his statement added.
Vormawor’s comments on social media follows the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers, who have ordered President John Dramani Mahama to immediately and without delay, reinstate the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, in a joint statement, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association demanded the reinstatement of the Chief Justice.
Parts of their statement noted, “Immediately and without delay, reinstate the Chief Justice of Ghana to her Office, consistent with both the hitherto strong attachment to the rule of law demonstrated by Ghana and also, the constitutional duties incumbent upon them”.
They stated that the rules of practice must “include the time frame within which the investigating committee must conclude the disciplinary process against the Chief Justice, without any further delay and communicate that decision of that process to all concerned in upholding the rule of law in Ghana.”
According to the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, the investigating committee permitting petitioners to use witnesses instead of attending themselves to answer questions on their petitions does not follow the rules and norms of due process.
They argued that the decision by the investigating committee to “deny the Chief Justice’s legal representative the respect required when attending the hearings of the investigating committee is contrary to the Latimer House Principles, which underline the duty to ensure fair and just process.”
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has replied to the UK Bar Council, Commonwealth Lawyers.
Dr Dominic Ayine, in a statement, emphasised that the suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s suspension will remain until the inquiry committee completes and submits its report to President Mahama.
In a press release dated August 15, 2025, and signed by Dr Dominic Ayine stated, “Neither Latimer House Principles nor the constitution prohibits the suspension of a Chief Justice once a prima facie determination of misconduct or misbehaviour has been made.
The suspension will therefore remain in effect until the inquiry committee completes its work and submits its report, to which His Excellency the President will adhere”.
The Attorney General further described the UK Bar Council’s, Commonwealth Lawyers’ joint statement as a matter of serious concern and accused them of failing to study Ghana’s Constitution before making their demands.
The AG statement added, “It is, however, a matter of serious concern that the BCEW and the CLA issued the joint statement without first acquainting themselves, even in a very basic way, with the relevant constitutional provisions and the material facts of the matter”.
“The suspension of Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., strictly adheres to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, particularly Article 146, which prescribes the procedure and the grounds for the removal of the Chief Justice and the removal of other Justices of the Superior Courts from office,” Dr Ayine explained.
Dr Dominic Ayine’s statement added, “After establishing the inquiry committee, the President, acting in accordance with further advice from the Council of State, suspended Her Ladyship, Justice Torkornoo, C.J., pending the outcome of the inquiry”.
“It is unrealistic and unbelievable that an inquiry committee with two of the suspended Chief Justice’s peers, one serving as chairperson, would deprive her of the safeguards of due process, particularly when it is public knowledge that legal counsel… has continuously and ably represented her throughout the hearings”, he said.
The Attorney-General further declared government is committed to maintaining the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, and the rule of law.
“The government of Ghana remains strongly committed to maintaining the independence of the judiciary, separation of powers, and the rule of law. Any suggestion otherwise is unfounded and risks distorting a constitutional process that is being conducted fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law”, he added.
See the statement below:
