Former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo has filed a fresh application at Ghana’s Supreme Court seeking a review of rulings delivered on May 28, 2026, in relation to proceedings surrounding her removal from office.
The latest legal move comes just a day after the ECOWAS Court of Justice dismissed her challenge against Ghana over her suspension and removal as Chief Justice, ruling that her rights were not violated during the process.
According to court documents cited by local media, Justice Torkornoo is asking the Supreme Court to revisit and overturn aspects of its earlier decisions, arguing that significant legal and constitutional issues require reconsideration. The application reportedly raises concerns about fair hearing, due process, and the interpretation of constitutional provisions governing the removal of a Chief Justice.
The May 28 rulings formed part of a series of legal proceedings arising from petitions that led to her suspension and eventual removal from office. President John Dramani Mahama suspended Justice Torkornoo in April 2025 after determining, in consultation with the Council of State, that a prima facie case had been established following petitions seeking her removal. A constitutional committee was subsequently constituted to investigate the allegations.
Following the committee’s work, President Mahama removed Justice Torkornoo from office in September 2025 in accordance with Article 146 of the Constitution. Since then, she has pursued multiple legal avenues to challenge both the process and the outcome of her removal.
Her legal battles have attracted significant public and political attention, with supporters arguing that the case raises important questions about judicial independence and constitutional safeguards, while others maintain that the constitutional process was properly followed.
The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether the grounds advanced by Justice Torkornoo meet the threshold required for a review of its earlier decisions. If granted, the review could reopen legal arguments on aspects of the removal process and potentially influence ongoing debates about the powers and procedures involved in removing senior judicial officers.
The latest application means that despite the setback at the ECOWAS Court, the legal contest over Justice Torkornoo’s removal is far from over. Legal observers will be closely watching the Supreme Court’s response, as its eventual decision could shape future constitutional disputes involving the judiciary and other high-ranking public office holders.
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