Private legal practitioner Kwame Adofo has criticised Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for not recusing himself from the panel hearing cases related to the suspension of Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Adofo said there is a clear conflict of interest, and he supported the decision by Justice Torkornoo’s lawyers to raise the objection.
“He is clearly benefiting as the Acting Chief Justice. He includes himself in a panel and also rules against the woman. So that is a clear conflict of interest. I’m surprised he hasn’t recused himself and set up a new panel. He should not be part of this,” he stated.
His comments followed a 4–1 majority Supreme Court decision on Wednesday dismissing a case filed by the Centre for Citizenship, Constitutional and Electoral Systems (CenCES).
The case sought to reverse President John Mahama’s suspension of the Chief Justice and halt the committee set up to consider her possible removal from office.
The five-member panel, chaired by Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and including Justices Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Yonny Kulendi, and Henry Anthony Kwofie, ruled against CenCES, while Justice Yaw Asare Darko dissented.
CenCES argued that the President’s suspension violated constitutional provisions and sought to invalidate both the suspension and the ongoing inquiry.
However, the Supreme Court upheld the suspension and allowed the committee’s work to continue—an outcome Mr. Adofo described as worrying.