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Suspended Chief Justice of Ghana, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, has filed a fresh application at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, challenging her suspension and the legal processes seeking her removal from office.
Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai revealed the development on Tuesday, July 8, via a Facebook post, indicating that the Chief Justice filed her application on July 4, citing alleged human rights violations.
According to Srem-Sai, Justice Torkornoo argues that her suspension—executed without a conclusive ruling on any of the petitions filed against her violates her constitutional rights.
“She argues that by her suspension, she has been effectively removed from office without final determination, infringing on her right to serve in the capacity to which she was duly appointed,” Srem-Sai noted.
Justice Torkornoo, who was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, has already filed legal challenges in both the Supreme Court and the High Court in Ghana. Currently, three petitions are pending, all seeking her removal.
Meanwhile, on July 1, the Attorney General filed a motion at the Human Rights Division of the High Court to strike out the Chief Justice’s application for judicial review. The State contends that her case contains significant legal errors, including a “grave misstatement of capacity” and the exclusion of necessary parties.
President Mahama has defended his administration’s actions, insisting that all constitutional procedures are being followed. He stated that the presidency has played its part and is awaiting the findings of the investigative committee handling the petitions.
