The Supreme Court of Ghana on May 6, 2025, dismissed an injunction filed by the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, which sought to halt proceedings on three petitions calling for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
In a ruling sighted by Mynewsgh.com, the apex court rejected Mr. Assafuah’s attempt to stop the process, which he had argued violated constitutional procedures outlined for such matters.
The MP, by a writ dated March 27, 2025, invoked the original jurisdiction of the court against the Attorney-General, Dominic Ayine, requesting several declarations.
Among them was the claim that the President is constitutionally required to first notify the Chief Justice of any removal petition and obtain her comments before proceeding to consult with the Council of State.
Specifically, Assafuah argued that failure to follow this process contravenes Articles 146(1), (2), (4), (6), and (7), as well as Articles 23, 57(3), and 296 of the 1992 Constitution, which he claimed guarantee the security of tenure for the Chief Justice.
He further contended that bypassing the Chief Justice in this manner not only breached her rights but also violated the legal checks that should guide presidential actions in such matters.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed the injunction, allowing the petition process to proceed.
The petitions, which have triggered significant public and political interest, seek to remove Chief Justice Torkornoo over alleged misconduct and procedural breaches—claims her supporters have described as politically motivated.
Find the full reasons for the court’s decision below.
