A legal battle involving businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye has taken a new turn after his former wife, Joana Quaye, formally petitioned the Chief Justice over what she claims was misconduct by the judge who handled their case.
The petition targets Justice Justin Dorgu, whose ruling in the matter was delivered on January 20, 2026. The dispute now centres on the timing of the court’s written judgment and whether it denied Joana Quaye the chance to properly appeal the decision.
Court documents show that the January ruling addressed issues including property settlement, child custody and maintenance. That ruling also activated the three-month period within which an appeal could be filed.
However, Joana Quaye argues that although the final orders were announced in January, the court’s full written explanation was not released until April 20, 2026, one day after the appeal window had expired on April 19.
In her petition to the Judicial Council and the Chief Justice, she questions whether the delayed release of the detailed judgment effectively blocked her constitutional right to challenge the ruling.
According to her, Justice Dorgu issued what appeared to be a concluded judgment before completing the legal reasoning behind it, only making the detailed explanation available after the deadline for appeal had passed.
Her legal team, Dame & Partners, has since proceeded to file an appeal.
Joana Quaye maintains in the petition that the sequence of events unfairly compromised her legal rights. She argues that the judge appeared to settle the outcome before fully documenting the basis for the decision.
She further alleges that the judgment was “serialised” in a way that weakened her access to justice.
According to her petition, the process effectively produced two separate versions of the court’s decision. She says one required her immediate response without the benefit of the court’s full reasoning, while the other emerged too late for any meaningful legal challenge.
Describing the development as deeply disturbing, she warns that such actions could damage public confidence in the judiciary.
Joana Quaye is now calling for a full investigation into Justice Dorgu’s conduct.
Her petition asks the Chief Justice and other relevant authorities to determine whether the delay in releasing the complete judgment amounts to judicial misconduct.
She also argues that the matter extends beyond her personal circumstances, insisting that if such practices are allowed to continue, they could endanger the rights of other litigants, particularly women and vulnerable individuals seeking justice through the courts.
The controversy has reignited debate around transparency in the judicial system, fairness in court proceedings and the constitutional right to appeal.
As authorities review the petition, the case is rapidly emerging as a significant test of judicial accountability in Ghana.
