Former Attorney-General and Special Prosecutor Martin Amidu has accused President John Dramani Mahama of pursuing what he describes as a “long game” to exert influence over Ghana’s Judiciary, alleging that Chief Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie has become a “surrogate” for the President’s judicial reform agenda.
In a 20-page statement dated September 28, 2026, Mr Amidu raised concerns about the relationship between the Executive and Judiciary, arguing that recent developments could undermine judicial independence and the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
The former Attorney-General’s claims are his interpretation of events surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s subsequent elevation and interactions between the Judiciary and government institutions. Similar accounts of his statement have been published by other Ghanaian media outlets.
‘Mahama’s Surrogate’
At the centre of Mr Amidu’s criticism are comments attributed to Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie during a September 2 visit to the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).
“The old man’s agenda is one that will benefit Ghana. We should do everything to ensure that he succeeds,” the Chief Justice was quoted as saying. He added that when the President appoints someone to a position, that person should work to ensure his agenda succeeds.
Mr Amidu interpreted the comments as an expression of allegiance to President Mahama rather than merely support for government policy, an interpretation that forms a central plank of his argument about judicial independence.
He alleged that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie became a “surrogate” for President Mahama’s judicial reset agenda after the suspension of Justice Torkornoo paved the way for him to become Acting Chief Justice and subsequently substantive Chief Justice.
Torkornoo Removal Revisited
Mr Amidu, however, said he had supported the constitutional process used to remove Justice Torkornoo, believing lessons would be learnt and the independence of the Judiciary strengthened. JUSTICE BAFFOE-BONNIE IS PRESID…
He has now questioned subsequent developments, particularly Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s role in presiding over interlocutory applications challenging processes connected with Justice Torkornoo’s removal while he was her potential successor.
The statement cited four applications heard by the Supreme Court in May 2025 relating to the removal process, all of which were dismissed.
Mr Amidu contrasted this with earlier cases in which sitting Chief Justices composed panels but recused themselves from presiding over cases touching on their positions, arguing that the precedents were relevant to questions of judicial neutrality.
Executive-Judiciary Relationship
The former Special Prosecutor also criticised what he described as increasingly close collaboration between the Executive and Judiciary.
He cited engagements involving the Chief Justice and state institutions, the creation of specialised courts and judicial reforms pursued during the Mahama administration as evidence supporting his concerns. The statement argues that Ghana’s constitutional structure requires the Judiciary to remain a separate and co-equal branch of government.
Mr Amidu further pointed to the appointment of seven Supreme Court justices in 2025 and subsequent appointments to the Court of Appeal and High Court as part of the sequence of developments he believes should be examined in assessing the relationship between the two branches.
Warning Over Judicial Independence
Mr Amidu warned that the issue extends beyond the personalities of President Mahama and Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, arguing that successive governments have attempted in different ways to influence the Judiciary.
He cited previous administrations under Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while arguing that, in his assessment, the trend has intensified under the current administration.
Concluding his statement, Mr Amidu warned that weakening the institutional separation between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary could threaten Ghana’s constitutional order. He called on citizens to remain vigilant, particularly as the country considers constitutional reforms.
The allegations represent Mr Amidu’s analysis and accusations; the statement does not establish that President Mahama or Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie has unlawfully sought to control the Judiciary.
