Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has taken her case to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, according to Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai. This new development comes as three separate petitions seeking her removal are ongoing in Ghana.
Torkornoo, who was suspended by President John Mahama under Article 146 of the Constitution, had already challenged her suspension in both the Supreme Court and High Court. Srem-Sai revealed on Facebook that the Chief Justice filed her application at the ECOWAS Court on July 4, citing human rights violations due to her suspension without a final determination of the petitions against her.
“Essentially, Her Ladyship argues that by her suspension, she has effectively been removed from her official capacity without a final determination, impairing her right to function and serve in a position she was constitutionally appointed to,” Srem-Sai stated.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General has filed a motion to strike out Torkornoo’s application for judicial review, claiming it contains a “grave misstatement of capacity” and is legally defective. President Mahama has assured that his administration is following constitutional processes, and the presidency is awaiting the outcome of the investigative committee.
The suspension has sparked a national debate, with concerns raised about judicial independence. The final report from the committee will determine whether Torkornoo will be reinstated or permanently removed from office.
