Supreme Court to Decide on Legality of Chief Justice’s Removal Process on April
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for April 9, 2025, to deliberate on a suit challenging the constitutionality of the process aimed at potentially removing Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
This development comes after Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah filed a suit contesting the procedure being employed by President John Mahama, following the receipt of three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.
At the heart of the matter lies the contention that the Chief Justice must be afforded the opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against her before the President initiates consultations with the Council of State, as stipulated in Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr. Assafuah, represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, posits that the failure to notify the Chief Justice beforehand constitutes a violation of her right to a fair hearing and undermines the independence of the judiciary.
The Supreme Court’s decision will be pivotal in determining whether the President’s actions align with the constitutional provisions governing the removal of a sitting Chief Justice.