The ECOWAS Court of Justice has thrown out former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s request for temporary orders to stop the work of the committee that examined the processes leading to her removal from office.
The Court also rejected a preliminary challenge from the Government of Ghana, which claimed the regional court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Justice Torkonoo filed the application after President Akufo-Addo established a committee led by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang to investigate issues culminating in her dismissal and the subsequent swearing-in of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
Delivering its ruling on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the ECOWAS Court noted that although Torkonoo had presented a prima facie case of alleged human rights violations, she did not prove the urgency needed for the issuance of temporary measures.
The judges observed that she had been suspended since April 22, 2025, yet waited three months before seeking the prohibition order, weakening her claims of immediate or irreparable harm. Consequently, the Court declined the request for interim relief.
The Court also dismissed an objection raised by Ghana’s Attorney General, who argued that the matter was sub judice because a related case was pending in a Ghanaian court.
The judges found this argument unfounded, explaining that the application before the ECOWAS Court focuses solely on alleged rights violations arising from the suspension and removal procedure. It does not attempt to overturn or interfere with any ruling of a national court.
They further clarified that sub judice only applies when a matter is awaiting judgment, not simply because two cases share similar facts.
The Court concluded that it has the authority to hear the substantive case, having identified a valid human rights claim. It has therefore admitted the main application and instructed the Attorney General to file a response.
Source: Citinews
