The Supreme Court has dismissed an application seeking to halt the process for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
In a 3-2 majority decision, the court ruled against the injunction request filed by the old Tafo MP, Vincent Ekow Assafuah.
The application aimed to stop the process of removing the Chief Justice and revoke her suspension.
Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, along with Justices Yonny Kulendi and Amadu Tanko, formed the majority, while Justices Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Ernest Gaewu dissented.
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended by the President after a prima facie case was established against her based on petitions filed by private citizens and a civic group. A five-member committee has been constituted to investigate the allegations.
The court will release the full reasons for its decision on May 21, 2025.
Before the ruling, the court dismissed two objections raised by Godfred Yeboah Dame, counsel for Assafuah.
Lawyer Dame had argued that Acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie should recuse himself, citing potential benefit from the proceedings.
He also objected to the reconstitution of the panel hearing the motion.
However, the court held that Article 144(6) of the Constitution empowers the Acting Chief Justice to constitute a panel and perform all powers of a substantive Chief Justice.
The current panel, however, includes Justices Yonny Kulendi, Amadu Tanko, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, and Ernest Gaewu, and is presided over by acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
