The Accra High Court has halted an attempt by lawyers for former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo to withdraw their case against her removal, insisting they must follow proper procedure.
At a virtual sitting on Tuesday, September 9, presiding judge Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei ruled that counsel for the former CJ, Kwabena Adu-Kusi, could not orally withdraw the judicial review application filed on June 23.
The suit sought to challenge a petition by a group called Shining Stars of Ghana, which her lawyers argued was both unregistered and anonymous.
“My instructions are to withdraw the substantive application,” Adu-Kusi told the court, requesting leave to discontinue the matter. But Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem Sai strongly objected, saying the move was improper.
“The proper course of action is to file a notice of discontinuance, not show up in court to pray orally for withdrawal,” he argued, describing the approach as “embarrassing.”
The court ordered the former CJ’s lawyers to file the correct processes before the matter can be discontinued and adjourned proceedings indefinitely.
Justice Torkornoo was dismissed on September 1 by President John Mahama after a Committee of Inquiry recommended her removal.
