….Chief Justice Torkornoo’s Fate Hangs in the Balance as Injunction Hearing Draws Near”
In the midst of mounting pressure for her removal, Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has made a pivotal move by formally requesting copies of the three petitions lodged against her, currently in the possession of President John Dramani Mahama.
The embattled senior justice of the Supreme Court articulated her request in a missive dated Thursday, March 27, stressing the necessity of having the documents in hand to formulate an apt response.
This development follows a recent revelation by Minister for Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who disclosed the existence of the petitions and their transmission to the Council of State, headed by Doe Adjaho, for deliberation.
While the identity of the petitioners remains undisclosed, the government and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have distanced themselves from the contentious petitions. Notably, this is not the first instance where attempts were made to unseat Chief Justice Torkornoo.
A lecturer and member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Prof Kwaku Asare alias Kwaku Azar, initiated a similar endeavor last year, which was eventually dismissed by then-President Akufo-Addo citing lack of merit.
The latest course of action by President Mahama in compliance with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution entails seeking counsel from the Council of State on the petitions’ merits and subsequent actions.
In her plea to the President, Chief Justice Torkornoo underscored the paramount importance of a fair opportunity to rebut the allegations leveled against her before any conclusive measures are taken. The correspondence was also directed to former Chief Justice Justice Sophia Akuffo, a Council of State member, and ex-Speaker of Parliament Doe Adjaho.
The unfolding scenario culminates in a legal battle initiated by MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, who filed an injunction at the Supreme Court to impede the removal process. His challenge questions the procedural integrity of the removal proceedings, contending that they are motivated by political undertones aimed at compromising judicial independence.
A private citizen, Ebenezer Osei-Owusu, is following suit with a similar legal charge, arguing that due process is not being adhered to, thus jeopardizing the Chief Justice’s entitlement to a fair assessment.
As the legal tussle ensues, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on April 2, 2025, to review the injunction application filed by MP Assafuah, signaling a pivotal juncture in the ongoing saga surrounding Chief Justice Torkornoo’s tenure.