Torkornoo Loses at ECOWAS Court After Challenging Committee Probing Petitions for Her Removal
- Ousted Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has suffered another legal setback after a ruling against her at the ECOWAS Court of Justice
- The court also rejected an argument from the government of Ghana in the high-profile case
- Torkonoo sued at the court after President John Mahama constituted a committee to probe petitions against her
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The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled against ousted Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, dismissing her application to halt the work of the committee that investigated and caused her removal from office.
The court also rejected a preliminary objection from the government, which argued that the ECOWAS court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
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Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai provided some updates, saying the court said Torkornoo did not demonstrate the existence of an imminent or exceptional circumstance that would justify the urgency of the application filed almost three months after the act complained of.
Torkonoo sued at the court after President John Mahama constituted a committee chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang to probe petitions that eventually led to her removal and the swearing-in of her successor, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
In its ruling on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the ECOWAS Court held that although the former Chief Justice had established a prima facie case alleging human rights violations, she failed to demonstrate the urgency required for the Court to issue temporary orders stopping the committee’s proceedings.
The judges noted that despite being suspended, she waited three months before filing her motion to the detriment of her argument.
As a result, the request for a prohibition order was dismissed.
Torkonoo chasing $10M compensation from government
As part of her case at the ECOWAS court, Torkonoo is demanding $10 million in compensation from the government.
Torkornoo's lawsuit, which was seeking to have her suspension removed, argued that she has suffered reputational damage.
The Law Platform published details of the lawsuit, which was filed on July 4.
She maintains that her suspension violated her rights under the African Charter on Human and People's Rights.
Torkornoo also said her right to dignity and protection from arbitrary measures had also been violated.
Among other things, she is seeking a declaration that the suspension violated the Applicant's human rights to a fair hearing guaranteed by Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
Background to Torkornoo's legal troubles
President John Mahama received five petitions for the removal of Torkonoo, leading to her suspension.
A committee started probing Torkonoo based on the first three petitions, which accused the sacked chief justice of misconduct and abuse of power.
Torkornoo, on May 21, unsuccessfully sued the committee set up by Mahama to investigate petitions seeking her removal from office.
Eventually, Torkornoo was removed following a recommendation by the committee probing complaints against her. She had been on suspension since April 2025.
The investigative committee found that grounds of stated misbehaviour had been established following its probe.
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She was found to have engaged in unlawful expenditure of public funds, abuse of discretionary power, and interference in judicial appointments.
For the unlawful expenditure of public funds, she authorised the Judicial Service to cover travel expenses and per diem allowances for her husband and daughter during private holiday trips in 2023.
NPP MPs boycott Chief Justice nominee vetting
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that members of the Minority on the Appointments Committee of Parliament boycotted the vetting of the current Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie.
They were upset with the nomination process, which proceeded despite Torkornoo's pending lawsuits.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
