Suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo Takes Ghana to ECOWAS Court, Demands $10m Compensation

Suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has taken her fight to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, demanding $10 million in compensation from the Republic of Ghana. She claims her suspension amounts to a violation of her fundamental rights, particularly her right to a fair hearing as outlined under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Justice Torkornoo was suspended by President John Mahama on April 22, 2025, following advice from the Council of State that a prima facie case warranted an investigation. A five-member panel chaired by Justice Gabriel Pwamang was set up to look into the allegations. Multiple legal actions—over five—have been filed at the Supreme Court by concerned citizens challenging the probe. The Chief Justice also petitioned the Court herself, arguing that her rights were violated, but the request was denied. She then filed a case at the High Court, which is still pending.

Her legal team is now seeking ECOWAS Court intervention to declare the suspension a breach of her human rights. They argue that the investigative panel lacks the independence necessary for a fair process. The Chief Justice wants her suspension lifted and her position reinstated, alongside a $10 million compensation for moral and reputational harm.