Supreme Court Dismisses Injunction Bid Against Petition to Remove Chief Justice

The Supreme Court has thrown out the injunction application filed by Old Tafo MP Vincent Assafuah, which sought to block the petition to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.

The move came after Godfred Dame, representing Assafuah, withdrew the legal action that aimed to stop the President from sending the petition to the Council of State. Before the withdrawal, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed an objection raised by Dame regarding Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie presiding over the case.

Dame argued that Baffoe-Bonnie should not lead the panel as the outcome could affect him directly, but the court rejected this claim, affirming that the proper judicial process would be maintained.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s leadership of the case was challenged by Dame, but the court ruled that his role would not be compromised. Meanwhile, the Court is still deliberating on the objection to his presiding role.

At the previous hearing, a panel of four judges, instead of the usual five, convened to address the matter, citing unavoidable reasons for the absence of one panel member. The case continues, with the Attorney General reaffirming that no law bars the President from proceeding with his constitutional duties despite the injunction request.

The President had forwarded petitions calling for the removal of Chief Justice Torkornoo to the Council of State for advice, in line with the procedures outlined in the 1992 Constitution.

In response, the Chief Justice emphasized that the President is simply fulfilling a constitutional duty, and legal precedent makes it clear that constitutional actions cannot be halted by an injunction.