Suspended Chief Justice Sues Ghana at ECOWAS Court, Demands $10 Million Compensation
Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo is seeking redress at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, requesting $10 million in compensation for what she describes as moral and reputational damages stemming from her suspension.
The former Chief Justice argues that her suspension by President John Dramani Mahama on April 22, 2025, violated her fundamental human rights—particularly her right to a fair hearing, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Her suspension followed President Mahama’s consultation with the Council of State, which concluded that there was a prima facie case to warrant a full-scale investigation into allegations of misconduct. A five-member committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Pwamang, was subsequently tasked with probing the matter.
Legal Battles Mount
The case has been mired in controversy, with at least five legal challenges filed at the Supreme Court by private citizens seeking to halt the committee’s proceedings. Chief Justice Torkornoo herself petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend the investigation, arguing that the process infringed on her rights.
She claimed she was subjected to invasive body searches and denied access to her personal electronic devices before hearings. After the Supreme Court declined to intervene, she turned to the High Court, where a separate case is still pending.
Now, her legal team has taken the fight to the ECOWAS Court, asking it to declare her suspension unlawful and in violation of international human rights law. They argue that the investigative panel was improperly constituted and lacked the independence required for a fair inquiry.
The petition to the ECOWAS Court seeks four key outcomes:
- A declaration that her suspension violated her rights under the African Charter.
- An order compelling Ghana to lift her suspension and reinstate her as Chief Justice.
- A finding that the investigative committee lacked independence.
- A $10 million compensation package for the moral and reputational harm she claims to have suffered.
The case is expected to test the balance between national judicial processes and international human rights obligations, with potential implications for judicial independence across the region.
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