Supreme court hears new suit to halt Chief Justice’s removal proceedings

The Supreme Court of Ghana is set to hear a significant application today, May 21, 2025, filed by private citizen Theodore Kofi Atta-Quartey. The application seeks to halt the ongoing proceedings aimed at the potential removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo from office.

Atta-Quartey’s application requests the Supreme Court to place an interlocutory injunction on the work of the committee of inquiry established under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. He argues that until his suit is fully determined, the proceedings relating to the Chief Justice’s removal should be suspended. Additionally, the application seeks to suspend the operation of the President’s Warrant of Suspension, issued under Article 146(10)(a), which led to the Chief Justice’s temporary removal from office on April 22, 2025.

Key Reliefs Sought:

1. A declaration that under Articles 23, 146(6), and 296(b) & (c) of the Constitution, the President’s discretionary authority to determine the existence of a prima facie case for removing the Chief Justice must be regulated by a published constitutional instrument.

2. A declaration that the Council of State’s advisory role in such matters must also be governed by a transparent and codified process, subject to a constitutional instrument.

3. A declaration that the committee of inquiry’s proceedings under Article 146(6) must follow clearly defined procedures, powers, and limitations set out in a constitutional instrument.

4. An order nullifying all proceedings related to the removal petitions, including the President’s prima facie determination, the suspension of the Chief Justice, and the formation of the inquiry committee, on grounds that they violate Articles 296(c) and 11(7) of the Constitution.

5. Any other orders or reliefs the Court deems necessary to protect the institutional independence of the Judiciary.

The outcome of today’s Supreme Court hearing could significantly impact the ongoing process concerning the Chief Justice’s potential removal, pending full judicial interpretation of the constitutional requirements.

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