The embattled Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has initiated legal proceedings against the Government of Ghana at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, challenging her recent suspension from office.
The disclosure was made in a social media post on Tuesday by Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai, who confirmed that the case was filed on July 4 and centres on claims of human rights violations.
According to Srem-Sai, Justice Torkornoo’s application before the ECOWAS Court mirrors similar claims she has already raised before Ghana’s Supreme Court and High Court, where she is contesting the constitutionality of the removal proceedings initiated against her.
“I can confirm that the Chief Justice – Her Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo – has filed another court case – this time, at the ECOWAS Community Court in Abuja, Nigeria, against the Republic. In the case, which was filed on July 4, Her Ladyship repeated the same allegations of human rights violations which are currently pending determination before our Supreme Court and, also, before our High Court in respect of the ongoing removal processes.”
“Essentially, Her Ladyship argues that by her suspension, she ‘has effectively been removed from her official capacity without a final determination, impairing her right to function and serve in a position she was constitutionally appointed to,’” the Deputy Attorney General wrote.
