Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of being part of what he describes as a “grand conspiracy” that led to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office in September 2025 following proceedings under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. The process followed petitions alleging misconduct and was conducted by a committee of inquiry chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.
Speaking on Atinka TV, Mr Afenyo-Markin alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was involved in efforts to remove his predecessor because of an ambition to eventually become Chief Justice.
“My Lord Baffoe-Bonnie was part of the grand conspiracy against her predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo,” he said.
“It was a grand conspiracy. Because he wants to be the Chief Justice. Obviously. Why? Why should I deny that?”
Allegations against Supreme Court judges
The Effutu MP further alleged that other Supreme Court judges were involved in the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
He maintained that the full details of what transpired would eventually emerge.
“He knows, I know, the Supreme Court judges are—you know—who conspired against their colleague. But one day, the true story will be told,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin did not provide specific evidence in the remarks to substantiate the allegations against the Chief Justice or the other judges.
Calls for Torkornoo’s reinstatement
The Minority Leader also renewed his call for Justice Torkornoo to be reinstated, describing her removal as an issue that remains unresolved in his view.
“I don’t see why that woman will not be reinstated. She has to be reinstated,” he said.
Justice Torkornoo’s removal has remained a major political and constitutional point of contention between the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr Afenyo-Markin has repeatedly criticised the Article 146 proceedings, previously describing the inquiry as a “travesty of justice.”
During the parliamentary vetting of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie for the position of Chief Justice in November 2025, he also questioned aspects of the proceedings and raised concerns about how the petitions against Justice Torkornoo were handled.
Dispute over judicial independence
The Minority Leader has argued that procedural issues surrounding the inquiry warrant further scrutiny, particularly the manner in which multiple petitions against the former Chief Justice were considered.
The NPP has consistently accused the NDC government of undermining judicial independence through Justice Torkornoo’s removal.
The government, however, has defended the process, maintaining that it was conducted in accordance with the constitutional framework under Article 146.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie was subsequently approved by Parliament and assumed office as Chief Justice despite opposition from the Minority.
Mr Afenyo-Markin’s latest comments are likely to renew debate over the circumstances surrounding Justice Torkornoo’s removal, the independence of Ghana’s judiciary and the constitutional processes governing the removal and appointment of senior judicial officers.
