Former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, has firmly dismissed suggestions that the President of Ghana can influence the removal of the Chief Justice, amid the circulation of controversial petitions calling for the ouster of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Speaking in an interview on Channel One’s Newsroom on Thursday, April 17, Osei-Owusu addressed growing speculation fueled by three petitions that have surfaced on social media, each seeking the Chief Justice’s removal on grounds he described as surprisingly thin and questionable.

Osei-Owusu Defends Judicial Independence

According to the seasoned lawmaker and legal practitioner, any attempt to remove a sitting Chief Justice must be guided strictly by constitutional due process and cannot be dictated by presidential whims or political convenience.

“My position is clear — the removal process for the Chief Justice cannot be influenced by the President,” Osei-Owusu asserted. “But I must admit, if the content I’ve seen in these petitions is genuine, I find the grounds extremely surprising, disappointing, and frankly, embarrassing.”

Concern Over Petitions Circulating on Social Media

Osei-Owusu raised caution over the authenticity of the documents, stressing that social media, while powerful, can often be a breeding ground for misinformation. He added that if the petitions' content were indeed accurate, it would reflect poorly on the petitioners and raise serious concerns about the standard for initiating such high-level constitutional processes.

“Social media is awash with all kinds of misinformation. If the grounds I’ve read are indeed what has been submitted, I would be shocked and dismayed if any competent committee even considers them sufficient to recommend the Chief Justice’s removal,” he said.

Protecting the Judiciary’s Integrity

The former First Deputy Speaker emphasized that Ghana's judiciary must be shielded from undue political interference and that the Chief Justice — or any judge — deserves fair, evidence-backed treatment before any removal consideration.

Osei-Owusu’s remarks arrive as public debates intensify around the integrity of the judiciary and whether politically motivated petitions threaten the separation of powers.

“The independence of the judiciary is a pillar of our democracy. The integrity of this process must be upheld,” he concluded.