Supreme Court Postpones Hearing of Case Challenging Chief Justice’s Removal Process

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of a case challenging the process to potentially remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office. The case, filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah, was supposed to be heard on Wednesday, April 9, but the court adjourned it because 50 State Attorneys were unavailable. They were attending a training to represent the State at the ECOWAS Court.

It is unclear when the case will be heard again, as no new date has been set.

The case questions the process followed by President John Mahama after receiving three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal. Assafuah, represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, argues that the Chief Justice should have been given a chance to respond to the allegations before the President started consulting with the Council of State. He believes failing to notify her in advance violates her right to a fair hearing and threatens judicial independence.

There is also a similar case at the Supreme Court filed by a private citizen. The court was expected to decide whether the President’s actions align with the constitution for removing a sitting Chief Justice.