'Deeply disappointing' -- Ahiagbah reacts to ECOWAS Court's dismissal of Justice Torkonoo's case
National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has described as disappointing the judgement delivered by the ECOWAS Court of Justice on a case filed by former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo against the Republic of Ghana.
Justice Torkornoo was removed from office on September 1, 2025, by President John Dramani Mahama after a committee established to investigate petitions against her found her culpable on allegations brought against her following her earlier suspension.
She filed an application at the ECOWAS Court challenging her earlier suspension and subsequent removal from office, citing human rights violations.
However, in its ruling on Wednesday, June 24, the regional court ruled that Ghana did not violate any of the former Chief Justice's rights and held that due process was followed throughout the proceedings that culminated in her dismissal.
Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, announced the decision in a social media post on Wednesday, June 24, describing the judgment as a complete victory for the Republic.
"The ECOWAS Community Court has, a while ago, dismissed all of the seven claims which the former Chief Justice, Her Ladyship, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, brought against our beloved Republic," Dr. Srem Sai wrote.
Justice Torkornooo had challenged the legality of her suspension and subsequent removal, alleging violations of her rights during proceedings conducted by the committee established to investigate petitions against her.
She also sought damages of $10 million, claiming, among other things, that her suspension was arbitrary, that she had been subjected to undignified treatment, and that the proceedings violated her right to a fair hearing.
However, the ECOWAS Court rejected all seven claims.
The court held that the suspension of the former Chief Justice did not violate her right to work and found that her removal was not arbitrary.
However, in a social media post on Thursday, June 25, the NPP spokesperson said the circumstances surrounding the removal of the former Chief Justice raised concerns about the future of Ghana's judiciary.
"The ECOWAS Court of Justice's decision to dismiss all of Justice Torkornoo's claims is deeply disappointing. It raises serious concerns about Ghana's democracy and the future independence of our judiciary," Mr. Ahiagbah stated.
According to him, the removal of the former Chief Justice sends a worrying signal to judges and other state officials regarding the independence of the judiciary and other democratic institutions.
He argued that the process leading to Justice Torkornoo's removal amounted to political persecution and an attempt to weaken independent institutions.
"What the Mahama-NDC government has achieved by removing Chief Justice Torkornoo sends a subtle message to all judges: rule independently at your own peril. This is beyond Justice Torkornooo as an individual; it reflects an executive branch intent on weakening institutions, intimidating independent officials, and consolidating political control over all the branches of government," he said.
Mr. Ahiagbah further called on Ghanaians to defend judicial independence and urged supporters of the opposition to mobilise ahead of the 2028 general elections to return the NPP to power.