“Attention seeking” Vincent Ekow Assafuah’s suit challenging CJ’s removal has been put on ice indefinitely
"Attention seeking" Vincent Ekow Assafuah’s suit challenging CJ’s removal has been put on ice indefinitely
Ghana’s Apex court, the Supreme Court (SC), has adjourned hearing on a suit filed by Old Tafo Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Vincent Ekow Assafuah, challenging the processes to remove Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, from office indefinitely
The case, filed by Old Tafo MP, was scheduled to be heard on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. However, the court adjourned the case on the basis that some 50 State Attorneys were unavailable because they were attending a training to effectively represent the interests of the State at the ECOWAS Court.
Mr Assafuah is seeking a declaration that the Chief Justice must be allowed to respond to the allegations before the President could initiate consultations with the Council of State under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr Assafuah, represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, argues that failing to notify the Chief Justice beforehand violates her right to a fair hearing and undermines judicial independence.
There’s also a similar suit at the Supreme Court by a private citizen.
The SC was expected to determine whether the President’s actions comply with the constitutional provisions governing the removal of a sitting Chief Justice.
As things stand now, it is not clear when the hearing will begin since a new date was not announced.
The suit challenges the constitutional procedure followed by President John Mahama after receiving three petitions calling for the Chief Justice’s removal.
