The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed all seven allegations brought by former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo against the Republic of Ghana, upholding the processes that culminated in her suspension and eventual removal from office.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, a three-member panel of the regional court ruled that the actions taken by Ghanaian authorities were lawful and were not conducted in an unfair or arbitrary manner.
The Court found that the committee established by President John Dramani Mahama to investigate petitions against Justice Torkornoo was legally constituted and acted within the framework of the law.
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According to the judgment, the former Chief Justice was given a meaningful opportunity to be heard throughout the process, dismissing her claims that her rights had been violated.
Addressing her challenge to the President’s prima facie determination, which was made in consultation with the Council of State, the Court clarified that the step was merely preliminary and did not constitute a formal hearing, contrary to the applicant’s assertions.
Justice Torkornoo had also sought US$10 million in damages for alleged reputational harm arising from the proceedings that led to her removal.
However, the ECOWAS Court ruled that there was no legal basis to grant compensation and consequently rejected the claim for damages.
The former Chief Justice turned to the regional court following her removal from office, arguing that due process had not been followed and that her rights had been infringed during the proceedings.
ECOWAS Court, however, dismissed all seven claims by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, upholding the government’s process that led to her removal.
The ruling effectively affirms the legality of the processes undertaken by the Republic of Ghana in handling the petitions against the former Chief Justice.