The Supreme Court has thrown out an interlocutory injunction filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, aimed at halting the removal process of suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, clears the path for President John Dramani Mahama to proceed with the petition process, which seeks to remove Justice Torkornoo from office.
In a dramatic 3-2 decision, The court’s majority—Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Justices Yonny Kulendi and Amadu Tanko—voted to dismiss the injunction. Justices Henrietta Mensah Bonsu and Ernest Gaewu, however, strongly dissented.
The injunction was intended to block the President from forwarding the petition and revoking the Chief Justice’s suspension. Full legal reasoning behind the ruling is expected to be published on May 21.
Justice Torkornoo was suspended on April 22, following a prima facie determination by President Mahama based on petitions from private citizen Daniel Ofori, senior police officer Ayamga Akolgo, and the civic group Shining Stars of Ghana.
A five-member investigative committee has since been formed to probe the allegations at the heart of the controversy.
Assafuah’s legal action came before the petition was referred to the Council of State and sought to freeze any further moves in the removal process. With the court’s latest decision, the constitutional gears for determining the Chief Justice’s fate will continue turning.