The Supreme Court has indefinitely adjourned the hearing of the crucial application challenging the procedures being used to determine a prima facie case for the potential removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The adjournment, announced on Wednesday, April 9, was prompted by the absence of the Attorney General’s office, significantly impacting the proceedings.
The case, initiated by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, seeks to challenge the constitutional validity of President John Mahama’s decision to consult the Council of State on the matter without first seeking a response from the Chief Justice. Assafuah, represented by former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, argues that this oversight violates the Chief Justice’s right to a fair hearing and undermines judicial independence, citing Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution.
The court, presided over by Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, was informed that the Attorney General’s office had requested an adjournment due to a scheduled training workshop for approximately 50 state attorneys, aimed at enhancing their representation at the ECOWAS Court.
This request, supported by two state attorneys, including a former Personal Assistant to Godfred Dame during his tenure as Attorney General, was granted as a matter of courtesy.
However, Godfred Dame expressed surprise at the absence of Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine and his deputy, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, questioning the priority of the training over the court hearing. He had initially requested the court to adjourn the case to Monday, April 14th.
The indefinite adjournment leaves the case in limbo, with no new hearing date set.
The delay raises concerns about the timeliness of judicial proceedings and the potential impact on the ongoing petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal.
