The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed an application for interim measures filed by former Chief Justice, Mrs. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, ruling that the request failed to meet the requirements necessary for such relief.
The decision was delivered on Wednesday morning, November 19, 2025.
In its ruling, the Court held that Justice Torkornoo had not demonstrated any “imminent or irreparable harm” that would justify granting provisional measures, noting that her own actions undermined the urgency she claimed.
According to the Court:
“The Applicant’s own conduct defeats her claim of imminent and irreparable harm. The Court is, therefore, satisfied that the Applicant has not demonstrated the existence of imminent or exceptional circumstance that will justify the urgency of the application filed almost 3 months after the act complained of.”
The Court further ruled that because the requirement of urgency had not been established, there was no basis to examine the remaining criteria, since all conditions for interim measures must be cumulatively satisfied.
“In the light of the Applicant’s failure to meet the requirement of urgency, the Court finds no basis to assess the remaining criteria for provisional measures, same being cumulative. The request for provisional measures as outlined by the Applicant, same not substantiated, is therefore dismissed.”
The announcement was confirmed in a statement issued by Deputy Attorney-General, Dr. Justice Sai.
