Crime and Investigation
Supreme Court throws out CJ impeachment injunction application
The Supreme Court has dismissed an injunction application which was seeking to halt the suspension of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a 3-2 majority decision, a five-member panel of the court, presided over by the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, dismissed the application filed by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, a legislator.
Justices Baffoe-Bonnie, Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi and Tanko Amadu were on the majority, while Justices Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu and Ernest Gaewu dissented.
The court did not give full reasoning behind the decision which it said will be ready by May 21.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court overruled an objection which was seeking the recusal of the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, from the panel hearing an injunction against the suspension of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
In a unanimous decision, the five-member panel of the court held that the objection had no merit.
The objection was raised by a former A-G, Godfred Yeboah Dame, lawyer for the applicant, who argued that Justice Baffoe -Bonnie had a personal interest in the application for injunction as it could affect his status as Acting Chief Justice.
However, the court held that the position of Acting Chief Justice was created under Article 144 (6) of the Constitution and whoever occupied it could not be said to have a personal interest.
“The objection is unmeritorious and consequently overruled,” the court held.
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame had objected to the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, presiding over the case seeking to halt the suspension of the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
Mr Dame who is lawyer for Vincent Assafuah, the legislator challenging the suspension of the Chief Justice, argued in court today that Justice Baffoe -Bonnie had an interest in the case and therefore should recuse himself from the five -member panel.
According to counsel, the outcome of the case had the potential to affect the status of the suspended Chief Justice and the Acting Chief Justice and therefore it was in the interest of justice for Justice Baffoe -Bonnie not to be part of the panel.
Mr Dame added that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had assumed all the powers of the Chief Justice and therefore ought not to be on panel.
“It important that justice must not be seen to be done but must be manifestly seen to be done,” he added
He cited three cases involving the status of the Chief Justice, and stated that in all those cases the Chief Justice, although had the power to empanel did not include himself to the panel.
Response
In his response, the Deputy A-G, Dr Justice Srem-Sai described the objection as “misconceived” and urged the court to overrule it.
It was his submission that the position of Acting Chief Justice came with duties and not any personal interest.
Again, he argued that it was the position of the law that in any constitutional matter as is currently the case, neither the parties or the judges were deemed to have any personal interest.
The Deputy A-G further argued the objection was also misconceived because the case involved the substantive Chief Justice and not the Acting Chief Justice.
“It is not the Acting Chief Justice who is the subject matter of removal proceedings , it is the substantive Chief Justice who is still Chief Justice. The objection has no basis in law,” the Deputy A-G argued.
As at the time of filing this report, the five -member panel, presided over Justice Baffoe -Bonnie, has gone into chambers to rule on the objection.
Source: Graphic online
Crime and Investigation
OSP Charges Paul Adom-Otchere Over GACL Contract; Fails to Meet Bail Conditions
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.
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
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.
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