Lisa Cook's Removal Blocks,Court Stops Trump
Sep 17, 2025
Private Citizen Petitions EOCO to Arrest Former CJ Torkornoo for Alleged Financial Loss
September 25, 2025
A private legal practitioner, James Kofi Afedo, has formally petitioned the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest and prosecute the immediate past Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, over allegations of causing financial loss to the state.
In his petition, Mr. Afedo claims the former Chief Justice misapplied public funds during her tenure as head of the Judicial Service.
“I write as a concerned citizen of Ghana to humbly petition your high and respected office for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the former Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey-Torkornoo, for willfully causing financial loss to the state and willfully or negligently misapplying public funds entrusted to her as the head of the Judicial Service of Ghana,” the petition reads in part.
According to the petitioner, Justice Torkornoo allegedly authorised the use of Judicial Service funds to cover travel expenses and per diems for her relatives during private trips abroad.
Mr. Afedo cited two instances:
-
In 2023, Judicial Service funds were allegedly used to pay for her husband’s travel and per diem during a trip to Tanzania, which he described as a private holiday.
-
Similarly, Judicial Service funds were purportedly used to cover her daughter’s travel to the United States, along with per diem payments for the duration of the trip.
He argues that these actions contravene provisions of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), particularly Section 96(1)(c) and (d), which prohibit the willful or negligent misapplication of public funds.
The petition calls on EOCO to launch a full investigation and take appropriate legal action against the former Chief Justice.
Justice Torkornoo, who was removed from office earlier this month, has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
