Former Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has asked the ECOWAS Court to deliver a default judgment in her favour in the suit she has filed against the government of Ghana for the alleged breach of her rights.

According to a report by TV3 on September 3, 2025, the application by Madam Torkornoo coming a few days after her removal from office, cites the failure of Ghana’s Attorney General to file a response to her suit in stipulated time.

Gertrude Torkornoo filed a lawsuit against the government of Ghana at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja, Nigeria, on July 4, 2025, challenging her suspension on April 22, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama.

She alleged that her suspension, prompted by three petitions accusing her of misconduct, violated her human rights to a fair hearing, dignity, and fair working conditions under Articles 5, 7, and 15 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Kwesi Pratt reacts to President Mahama's removal of CJ Torkornoo

Torkornoo asked the court to award her $10 million in compensation for moral and reputational damages, revocation of her suspension, and a halt to the removal proceedings against her, arguing that the process was arbitrary and lacked transparency.

The case was filed after unsuccessful challenges in Ghana’s Supreme Court and High Court.

However, ahead of the determination by the ECOWAS Court, President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, September 1, 2025, signed a warrant for the removal of Madam Torkornoo as Chief Justice of Ghana.

Read Justice Torkornoo's full response to Daniel Ofori's petition

The decision by the president was informed by the binding recommendations of a committee which had established stated misbehaviour against Madam Torkornoo following investigations.

GA/VPO

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