The ECOWAS Court of Justice has dismissed interim measures sought by former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to halt the work of the committee that investigated her removal from office.
This ruling by the court was shared in an update by the Deputy Attorney-General, Justice Srem-Sai, on Wednesday.
“The ECOWAS Court has, this morning, dismissed Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s application for interim measures. The Court stated that the application did not satisfy the criteria for a grant of interim measures. More particularly, the Court held that: ‘The Applicant’s own conduct defeats her claim of imminent and irreparable harm,’ the minister wrote on X.
The ECOWAS Court has, this morning, dismissed Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkornoo’s application for interim measures. The Court stated that the application did not satisfy the criteria for a grant of interim measures. More particularly, the Court held that:
“The Applicant’s own…
— Justice Srem-Sai (@JusticeSremSai) November 19, 2025
Justice Torkornoo had applied for temporary prohibition orders to stop the committee, chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, from continuing its probe into matters that eventually led to her removal and the swearing-in of her successor, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
While the ECOWAS Court acknowledged that the former Chief Justice had established a prima facie case alleging human rights violations, it ruled that she failed to demonstrate the urgency required for temporary orders.
The judges noted that she waited nearly three months after her suspension on April 22, 2025, before filing the motion—a delay that undermined her claim of imminent harm.
The Court also rejected a preliminary objection from the Government of Ghana, which argued that the regional court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
This ruling, however, does not affect her substantive case, as the court has already established a prima facie case concerning alleged violations of Justice Torkornoo’s human rights during the suspension and removal process.
The Attorney-General has been asked to file a response in the main application.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office as Chief Justice on September 1, 2025.