Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has filed a suit at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, demanding $10 million in compensation from the Republic of Ghana for what she describes as moral and reputational damage resulting from her suspension.
Justice Torkornoo argues that her removal from office violated her right to a fair hearing, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She is asking the regional court to declare the suspension unlawful and direct the government to lift it immediately, reinstate her, and award damages.
Her suspension was announced on April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama following consultation with the Council of State. The President acted after concluding that a prima facie case had been established, leading to the formation of a five-member investigative committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang.
Despite multiple legal attempts to halt the committee’s proceedings—including over five separate suits filed by citizens at the Supreme Court—the inquiry has continued. Justice Torkornoo herself petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the investigation, alleging that the committee’s actions infringed on her constitutional rights. However, the Supreme Court dismissed her application.
She subsequently filed a similar case at the High Court, which is still pending.
In her ECOWAS Court filing, Justice Torkornoo’s legal team claims she was subjected to humiliating security checks, including invasive body searches, and was denied access to her electronic devices during hearings. They further argue that the investigative committee lacked independence and impartiality.
The suit seeks the following key remedies:
A declaration that the suspension violated her human rights
An order to lift the suspension and reinstate her as Chief Justice
Payment of $10 million in compensation for damages suffered
The case is expected to draw significant public and legal attention as it proceeds through the ECOWAS Court.
