The Ghana Voice,
Accra, Ghana

Chief Justice Torkornoo Drags Republic to ECOWAS Court Over Suspension
The Ghana Voice 08-07-2025In a dramatic escalation of the constitutional standoff between Ghana's suspended Chief Justice and the state, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has filed a fresh legal action—not in Ghana—but at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria.
This latest development was confirmed by the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, in a social media post on Tuesday. According to him, the Chief Justice filed the ECOWAS case on July 4, repeating allegations of human rights violations that are currently under review in Ghana’s Supreme Court and High Court.
The international legal action adds a bold new dimension to the constitutional crisis, with Ghana’s top judge now seeking redress from a regional court known for its authority on human rights within West Africa.
At the heart of Her Ladyship’s case is the claim that her suspension from office—without a final determination by the appropriate legal process—constitutes a de facto removal. According to documents cited in the ECOWAS filing, the Chief Justice argues that the state has “effectively removed [her] from her official capacity without a final determination, impairing her right to function and serve in a position she was constitutionally appointed to.â€
This echoes the same sentiments she expressed during her now-viral June 25 national address, in which she decried the opaque and unconstitutional nature of the Article 146 removal proceedings being conducted against her. She warned that the process not only violated her personal rights but also threatened the independence and security of every judge and constitutional officer in Ghana.
The filing at ECOWAS is likely to intensify the already heated debate about the independence of Ghana’s judiciary, the separation of powers, and the politicisation of constitutional processes. It also raises serious questions about Ghana’s international legal image, especially with one of its top officials alleging violations of international human rights protocols.
Legal experts are watching closely. Some argue that the ECOWAS Court may entertain the case if it determines that Ghana’s legal remedies are ineffective or unduly delayed. Others believe it could amount to judicial overreach and could spark diplomatic discomfort between Ghana and the regional court.
Still, Her Ladyship’s decision to go to Abuja signals her determination not to exit the stage quietly. Rather, she appears ready to exhaust every domestic and international legal option available to her—regardless of the political or legal storm it may generate.