The ECOWAS Court has adjourned for ruling on former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s request to halt proceedings seeking her removal from office.

The court will also rule on preliminary objections raised by the Republic of Ghana in suit ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25, myjoyonline.com reported on May 16, 2026.

Torkornoo is asking the regional court to suspend the domestic process and reinstate her with full entitlements while the substantive case is determined.

“The date for its ruling will be communicated to the parties in due course,” the ECOWAS Court stated.

At the July 14, 2025, hearing, Ghana asked the court to first decide on its jurisdictional objection, arguing the ECOWAS Court has no authority over the matter.

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The state said the issue relates to constitutional processes before Ghana’s domestic courts, including the Supreme Court, and warned that allowing the regional court to proceed would amount to forum shopping and risk conflicting judgments.

Ghana cited past ECOWAS Court rulings where it declined jurisdiction over cases pending in national courts, stressing non-interference in ongoing domestic proceedings.

It added that Torkornoo was duly notified of the petition and given access to documents, insisting the process complies with constitutional procedures.

Torkornoo argued the case concerns violations of fundamental human rights under regional instruments, not constitutional interpretation.

She cited breaches of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, including Article 5 on dignity, Article 7 on fair hearing, and Article 15 on the right to work.

She said the ongoing proceedings have caused reputational harm and undermined judicial independence.

“Allowing the domestic process to continue could render the substantive matter before the ECOWAS Court ineffective,” her legal team warned.

Her application for provisional measures seeks to temporarily stop the removal process and restore her entitlements to prevent “irreparable harm, including continued reputational damage and potential prejudice to her legal rights.”

She also relied on ECOWAS Court jurisprudence affirming its authority to hear human rights claims even where domestic cases are ongoing, especially when domestic remedies are ineffective.

NAD/AM

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