The Supreme Court has dismissed an injunction application filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Assafuah seeking to prevent the petition to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo from proceeding.
The motion, filed by Assafuah’s lawyer, Godfred Dame, aimed to restrain the President from forwarding the petition to the Council of State, but was withdrawn before being formally adjudicated.
This decision follows a previous unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court, which rejected an objection raised by Godfred Dame against Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie presiding over the case.
Dame had argued that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stood to be personally affected by the outcome of the petition, as he was a senior judge who could be considered for the permanent Chief Justice position should Torkornoo be removed.
However, the court dismissed this argument, affirming that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie could fairly preside over the case and that due judicial process would be followed.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Dame’s objection to Baffoe-Bonnie’s role was heard and rejected by Deputy Attorney-General Justice Srem Sai.
Dame had argued that the Acting Chief Justice’s involvement in the case could create a conflict of interest, but the court maintained its position that the process would not be undermined by personal interest.
The case, initially adjourned due to the absence of a panel member, resumed with the panel chair, Justice Osei Bonsu, noting the adjournment was due to “unavoidable reasons.”
The petition for the removal of the Chief Justice, which was submitted to the President by various individuals, has now been referred to the Council of State for consultation, in line with the constitutional process.
Despite the objection raised by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who argued the law prohibits continuation of proceedings with an injunction in place, Attorney-General Dr. Dominic Ayine countered that no law prevents the President from carrying out his constitutional duty.
Dr. Ayine clarified that the President was simply fulfilling his duty in submitting the petition to the Council of State.
