General News

Mahama disappointed as Chief Justice’s letter leaks before reaching him

Published

4 months ago

March 28, 2025

President John Mahama has expressed disappointment over a letter from Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, which was leaked on social media before he had the chance to review its contents.

The President’s concerns were highlighted in an official letter signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President.

According to the statement, the Chief Justice’s letter, dated March 27, 2025, was widely circulated online before reaching the President’s desk as addressed.

“His Excellency, however, notes with disappointment that your letter of 27th March 2025 addressed to him was circulating on social media even before he could review its contents.”

“The letter was reportedly shared as an attachment to another letter you wrote to the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges, and the President of the Ghana Bar Association,” the statement read.

As a result of the leak, the Office of the President has decided to mark each page of the attached documents as ‘restricted’, reinforcing concerns about the confidentiality of official correspondence.

The letter was issued in response to petitions seeking Justice Torkornoo’s removal from office, with President Mahama granting her 10 days to provide a preliminary response.

However, the premature circulation of her correspondence has sparked concerns about judicial protocol and transparency.

The law that surrounds the removal of the Chief Justice is enshrined in Article 146 of the Constitution.

Article 146 – Removal Of Justices Of Superior Courts And Chairmen Of Regional Tribunals.

1) A Justice of the Superior Court or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal shall not be removed from office except for stated misbehaviour or incompetence or on ground of inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of Body or mind.

(2) A Justice of the Superior Court of Judicature or a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal may only be removed in accordance with the procedure specified in this article.

(3) If the President receives a petition for the removal of a Justice of a Superior Court other than the Chief Justice or for the removal of the Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, he shall refer the petition to the Chief Justice, who shall determine whether there is a prima facie case.

(4) Where the Chief Justice decides that there is a prima facie case, he shall set up a committee consisting of three Justices of the Superior Courts or Chairmen of the Regional Tribunals or both, appointed by the Judicial Council and two other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers, and who shall be appointed by the Chief Justice on the advice of the Council of State.

(5) The committee appointed under clause (4) of this article shall investigate the complaint and shall make its recommendations to the Chief Justice who shall forward them to the President.

(6) Where the petition is for the removal of the Chief Justice, the President shall, acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint a committee consisting of two Justices of the Supreme Court, one of whom shall be appointed chairman by the President, and three other persons who are not members of the Council of State, nor members of Parliament, nor lawyers.

(7) The committee appointed under clause (6) of this article shall inquire into the petition and recommend to the President whether the Chief Justice ought to be removed from office.

(8) All proceedings under this article shall be held in camera, and the Justice or Chairman against whom the petition is made is entitled to be heard in his defence by himself or by a lawyer or other expert of his choice.

(9) The President shall, in each case, act in accordance with the recommendations of the committee.

(10) Where a petition has been referred to a committee under this article, the President may-

(a) in the case of the Chief Justice, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State, by warrant signed by him, suspend the Chief Justice;

(b) in the case of any other Justice of a Superior Court or of a Chairman of a Regional Tribunal, acting in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Council, suspend that Justice or that Chairman of a Regional Tribunal.

(11) The President may, at any time, revoke a suspension under this article.

Related Topics:Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo

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Crime and Investigation

OSP Charges Paul Adom-Otchere Over GACL Contract; Fails to Meet Bail Conditions

Published

22 hours ago

July 31, 2025

Sunshynbaby

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has formally charged Paul Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), alongside two other individuals, in connection with a contentious revenue assurance contract.

Despite being granted bail, Mr. Adom-Otchere remains in custody after failing to meet the bail requirement of providing two landed properties registered in his name. He reportedly informed investigators that he does not own any such properties in Ghana, making compliance with the condition unattainable.

Also charged are Otchere Kwame Baffour Awuah, Group Executive for Commercial Services at GACL, and Albert Adjetey Adjei-Laryea, Chief Executive Officer of Devnest Systems.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into a revenue assurance contract awarded to a private firm allegedly linked to the owner of Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Ltd (SML). The OSP is examining suspected procurement violations, including the alleged sole-sourcing of a company that did not receive board approval from GACL.

Mr. Adom-Otchere was summoned for questioning on Thursday, July 31, following a formal notice issued on July 25, 2025.

In an interview with Citi Newsroom prior to his appearance before the OSP, Adom-Otchere described the investigation as politically driven. “I describe this as a witch-hunt,” he stated, asserting that he played no part in executing the contract. “The contract in question was signed by the Managing Director of Ghana Airports Company, and I was not even aware it had been executed.”

He further questioned why the investigation is focused on him instead of the GACL management officials who handled the contract process.

The OSP is expected to release additional information on the case and outline the next steps in the legal process in the coming days.

Crime and Investigation

OSP’s Bail Conditions for Adom-Otchere ‘Unjust and Excessive’ – Lawyer

Published

22 hours ago

July 31, 2025

Sunshynbaby

Nicholas Lenin Anane Agyei, legal representative for Paul Adom-Otchere, has condemned the bail terms set by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), describing them as harsh and discriminatory.

This follows the OSP’s directive that Mr. Adom-Otchere, former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), must present two landed properties registered in his name before securing bail. Despite being officially granted bail, he remains in custody due to his inability to meet this condition.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom on Thursday, July 31, Mr. Agyei expressed concern that the OSP’s demands appear intended to deliberately prolong Mr. Adom-Otchere’s detention.

He argued that the requirement was not only excessive but also unfair to individuals without significant assets.

“Asking for two landed properties in the name of the accused is an unreasonable demand, especially when it’s known he doesn’t own any. It’s as though the system is designed to deny bail to those without wealth,” he said.

Mr. Agyei further revealed that during preliminary procedures, Mr. Adom-Otchere had clearly indicated that he does not possess any landed properties. Despite this disclosure, the OSP still made such a condition central to his bail.

“It’s concerning that the OSP would insist on such conditions even after learning about his lack of property ownership. This, in our view, amounts to a veiled attempt to keep him behind bars,” he added.

He assured the public that the legal team is actively pursuing all lawful channels to challenge the conditions and secure the release of his client.

Crime and Investigation

OSP Invites Former GACL Board Chair Paul Adom-Otchere Over Suspected Corruption in Audit Deal

Published

2 days ago

July 30, 2025

Sunshynbaby

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has summoned Paul Adom-Otchere, the former Board Chairman of Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption and financial irregularities.

The probe focuses on a revenue assurance audit contract between GACL and a private firm, with suspicions surrounding the financial management and accounting of airport revenues under the agreement.

In an official letter dated July 25, 2025, the OSP identified Mr. Adom-Otchere as a suspect in the matter, citing potential corruption and corruption-related offenses. He has been asked to appear at the OSP’s South Ridge office on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Confirming receipt of the summons in an interview with Myjoyonline.com, Mr. Adom-Otchere, who recently completed his term as board chair, disclosed that his legal team has requested a new date—Monday, August 4—due to court engagements in Kumasi.

While pledging his full cooperation, he expressed surprise at being singled out, arguing that the decision-making around the contract was primarily handled by GACL management and its managing director, both of whom remain in office and available to assist with the inquiry.