# Ghanaian judicial leadership controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ghanaian-judicial-leadership-controversy
> Updated: 2026-08-24T15:39:40.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Ghanaian Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has renewed his accusations against Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, alleging his involvement in a ‘grand conspiracy’ to remove his predecessor, Gertrude Torkornoo.

In an interview with Atinka TV, Afenyo-Markin claimed that Baffoe-Bonnie and other Supreme Court judges acted out of personal ambition to facilitate a shift in judicial leadership. He asserted that the petition used to initiate the removal process was part of a larger scheme, describing the proceedings as a ‘travesty of justice.’ While making these claims, the Minority Leader did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.

Justice Torkornoo was removed from office in September 2025 under Article 146 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, becoming the first Chief Justice under the Fourth Republic to be dismissed. Following her removal, President John Dramani Mahama nominated Baffoe-Bonnie to the position, a move that received parliamentary approval despite opposition from the Minority. Afenyo-Markin continues to call for Torkornoo’s reinstatement, suggesting she would be restored if the New Patriotic Party returns to power.

## Claims

- Alexander Afenyo-Markin rejected the extortion allegations as false and defamatory. (corroborated by 13 sources)
- GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi accused Alexander Afenyo-Markin of extortion. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- Afenyo-Markin has filed legal actions in both the Accra High Court and the Achimota Circuit Court. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- The OSP is assessing allegations of extortion against Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The OSP has received three petitions regarding the allegations against Afenyo-Markin. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The dispute involves reported US$1.7 billion losses in the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Afenyo-Markin filed a defamation lawsuit seeking GH¢15 million in compensation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The lawsuit names Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group Limited as defendants. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Alexander Afenyo-Markin sues GoldBod CEO over extortion allegations

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has sued GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi and Multimedia Group for defamation after being called an “extortionist” amid a dispute over $1.7 billion in gold purchase losses.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alexander-afenyo-markin-faces-osp-assessment-over-extortion-allegations

### 2026-08-18: Alexander Afenyo-Markin alleges conspiracy in removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo

Ghana's Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of conspiring with other judges to remove former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alexander-afenyo-markin-alleges-conspiracy-in-removal-of-chief-justice-torkornoo

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Cite as: Ghanaian judicial leadership controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ghanaian-judicial-leadership-controversy