The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dismissed all allegations of human rights violations raised by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo over her suspension and subsequent removal from office.
In an abridged judgment delivered today (June 24, 2026), the court held that Ghana did not violate Justice Torkornoo’s rights to a fair hearing, dignity, information and work under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court consequently dismissed all reliefs sought by the former Chief Justice, including her request for reinstatement as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court, access to reports connected to the proceedings leading to her removal, and compensation of $10 million for alleged moral and reputational damage.
Justice Torkornoo had argued that the process leading to her suspension and removal violated her rights because the President commenced consultations with the Council of State and determined that a prima facie case had been established before she was notified of the petitions and allowed to respond.
She also challenged the competence and impartiality of the five-member committee constituted to investigate the petitions, alleged procedural unfairness during the inquiry, claimed that her suspension and removal violated her right to work and contended that she had been subjected to undignified treatment throughout the process.
Source: Graphic online
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