The revered jurist died on Saturday, 5 April 2025, after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, dedication, and service to Ghana’s judicial system
Justice Gbadegbe’s distinguished career in the judiciary spanned over three decades. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009, where he served until his mandatory retirement on December 8, 2020, upon turning 70.
Justice Gbadegbe penned very seminal judgments, including those that significantly shaped the interpretation of constitutional law and human rights in Ghana:
- Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako v. The Electoral Commission and the Attorney General
- Adisa Boya v. Zenabu Mohammed (substituted by Adama Mohammed) & ano.
- Captain Robert Mba Tindana v. The Chief of Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence and the Attorney General
- Gaise Zwennes Hughes & Co. v. Loders Crocklaan B. V. Civil Appeal No. J4/24/2011
- Madam Linda Sagoe and others v. Social Security and National Insurance Trust [SSNIT]
- Nii Okaidja III and two others v. Nii Tettey Ahinakwa II (substituted by Francis Nii Ayikai) and Thomas Okine
Before his elevation to the highest court of the land, he served as a Justice of the Court of Appeal from 1999 to 2009. His journey on the bench began as a High Court judge in 1989, a role he held for ten years, during which he earned the respect of his peers for his meticulous approach to the law and commitment to judicial ethics.
Justice Gbadegbe is also remembered for his role as one of the nine justices who presided over Ghana’s historic 2012/2013 presidential election petition. His contribution to that case remains a significant chapter in Ghana’s legal and democratic history.
Colleagues on the bench have described him as a “stickler for procedure”—a judge who upheld the highest standards of judicial conduct and believed firmly in ethical practice within the legal profession.
At his retirement ceremony in 2020, then Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah paid tribute to Justice Gbadegbe, acknowledging his unwavering dedication and service to the nation.
“Justice Gbadegbe served this country with commitment and left an indelible mark on Ghana’s judiciary,” the Chief Justice remarked at the time.
His passing marks the end of a life devoted to justice, fairness, and the rule of law. Tributes are expected to pour in from the legal community and beyond in the coming days.
