By: Alexander Afriyie
In a shocking turn of events, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Justice of Ghana, has filed an application for an interlocutory injunction against the President of Ghana and several high-ranking officials. The move comes amid reports that the President is planning to remove Justice Torkornoo from office.
According to court documents, Justice Torkornoo is seeking an order restraining the President and the Attorney-General from taking any action to remove her from office until the final determination of the instant action. The application also seeks to restrain the 2nd and 3rd defendants/respondents from proceeding with proceedings in a petition presented to the President purportedly seeking the removal of the Chief Justice.
The petition, which was presented to the President on [date], alleges that Justice Torkornoo has engaged in conduct that is incompatible with her office. However, Justice Torkornoo has denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless and malicious.”
In her affidavit in support of the application, Justice Torkornoo stated that she has been subjected to a sustained campaign of vilification and intimidation by the President and his allies. She claimed that the President’s actions are aimed at undermining her independence and impartiality as a judge.
The application for an interlocutory injunction is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court of Ghana. If granted, the injunction would prevent the President from taking any further action to remove Justice Torkornoo from office until the final determination of the instant action.
The development has sparked widespread concern among legal practitioners and civil society groups, who see it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary. “This is a clear attempt to intimidate and bully the Chief Justice into submission,” said, a leading lawyer in Ghana. “We will not stand idly by while the independence of the judiciary is being eroded.”
The case is being closely watched by the international community, with many expressing concern about the implications for Ghana’s democracy and rule of law. “This is a worrying development that could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s judicial system,” said a spokesperson for the International Commission of Jurists. “We urge the government of Ghana to respect the independence of the judiciary and to refrain from taking any action that could undermine the rule of law.”
The outcome of the case is expected to have significant implications for the future of Ghana’s judiciary and the country’s democracy. Alexander Afriyie