The Supreme Court, under the leadership of Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has convened a newly constituted panel to hear an injunction suit challenging the removal process of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo.
The panel hearing the case includes Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Justice Yonny Kulendi, Justice Amadu Tanko, and Justice Ernest Gaewu.
During proceedings, former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame, representing petitioner Vincent Ekow Assafuah, raised an objection to the reconstitution of the panel.
Dame argued that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, now presiding over the case, has a direct stake in the outcome and should not lead the proceedings.
However, Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai countered that the Acting CJ has no personal interest in the matter, and the court ultimately overruled Dame’s objection, allowing the hearing to proceed.
Chief Justice Torkornoo was suspended following the establishment of a five-member committee to investigate petitions calling for her removal.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, was set up under Article 146 (6) of the Constitution after President Mahama, in consultation with the Council of State, determined that a prima facie case had been established against her.
In her absence, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior judge at the Supreme Court, has assumed the role of Acting Chief Justice, as stipulated by Article 144 (6) (b) of the Constitution.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with critics arguing that the petitions against CJ Torkornoo are politically motivated.
Assafuah, the petitioner, contends that the removal process is a strategic move by the government to oust the Chief Justice by any means necessary.
