The legal standoff surrounding the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo took another turn as the Attorney-General called on the Accra High Court to dismiss her latest suit.
The Chief Justice had filed the case in an effort to halt her removal process, citing multiple breaches of her rights.
According to documents filed by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem Sai, the issues raised by Justice Torkornoo have already been addressed, or remain active, in the Supreme Court.
As such, the Attorney-General argues the High Court has no jurisdiction over the matter.
This is the sixth case linked to the Chief Justice’s suspension since the Presidency received petitions calling for her removal.
In her complaint, Justice Torkornoo alleges unfair treatment, including a lack of transparency in the decision-making process by the President and Council of State, and uncomfortable personal searches at committee hearings.
She also raised conflict-of-interest concerns over the inclusion of Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang in the removal proceedings.
The A-G’s legal submission references several related cases already before the Supreme Court, including suits involving the Chief Justice and civil society groups, and asserts that the High Court should strike out the new filing.
“The matters… are based on issues either previously decided by the Supreme Court or currently pending before it,” the Attorney-General argues, asking the High Court to decline jurisdiction.
As the legal proceedings continue, the matter has stirred public interest and debate over judicial independence and the legal pathways available to high-ranking public officials facing removal.
