Accra — The Supreme Court of Ghana is scheduled to hear a significant application filed by the suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, who is seeking an interlocutory injunction to pause the impeachment petition currently underway against her. The hearing is set for Wednesday, May 28, representing a critical juncture in a major judicial dispute that has drawn nationwide attention.
The injunction application was submitted by Chief Justice Torkornoo’s legal team as part of a broader strategy to temporarily halt the parliamentary impeachment process. They argue this pause should remain in effect until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling on her fundamental rights petition. This petition challenges the validity and fairness of the impeachment proceedings against her.
The impeachment petition itself has sparked widespread public debate and polarized opinions across Ghana. The allegations levelled against the Chief Justice include misconduct and abuse of office, charges which she firmly denies. Torkornoo characterizes the petition as a deliberate effort to undermine the judiciary’s independence and weaken the rule of law within the country.
Legal experts observe that the injunction hearing will be a crucial test of the constitutional balance of power between Ghana’s judiciary and legislature. Granting an interlocutory injunction would temporarily suspend Parliament’s investigation and prevent it from advancing the impeachment process during the pending constitutional review.
“This case is pivotal for constitutional democracy and the doctrine of separation of powers,” noted legal analyst Nana Kwame Agyeman. “The Supreme Court’s ruling will signal how judicial independence is protected and define the scope of parliamentary authority.”
Civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and legal practitioners are closely following the case. Many have voiced concerns about the potential impact of the impeachment on judicial autonomy. Several groups emphasize the importance of a transparent process that honors due process and constitutional protections.
Chief Justice Torkornoo’s lawyers argue that continuing the impeachment while her constitutional petition remains unresolved infringes on her right to a fair hearing and due process. They warn that proceeding could inflict irreparable damage on her position and the judiciary as a whole.
Tomorrow’s Supreme Court hearing is expected to attract intense media coverage and public scrutiny. The ruling will have far-reaching consequences, shaping not only the fate of Chief Justice Torkornoo but also the future of judicial independence and constitutional governance in Ghana.
