An Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Eugene Nyadu Nyantei, has directed lawyers of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo to follow proper procedure in withdrawing her case challenging her removal process.
The judge’s rejection follows an attempt by the lawyers of former Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo to orally withdraw case challenging her removal from office.
According to a report by 3news.com, during a virtual hearing on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem Sai, sought leave to move a motion to strike out Torkornoo’s judicial review application, filed on June 23, 2025, which challenged a petition by the group Shining Stars of Ghana.
Her lawyers argued that the petition was flawed due to the group’s unregistered status and anonymous members.
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However, before the motion could be addressed, Torkornoo’s lawyer, Kwabena Adu-Kusi, informed the court of his client’s instructions to withdraw the application.
“My instructions are to withdraw the substantive application for judicial review filed on June 23, 2025. We will pray for leave to withdraw the application accordingly, in which case, the application to strike out the motion for judicial review would not be necessary,” Adu-Kusi stated.
Dr Srem Sai expressed disappointment at the approach, noting, “We are embarrassed by the applicant’s move this morning. Our disappointment mainly stems from the course of action for a person who has filed an originating process. The process one must take when he or she wishes to discontinue a case is to file a notice of discontinuance and not show up in court and seek to orally pray the court for leave to withdraw, especially when that party has had ample time to take that decision.”
The Deputy AG urged the court to take appropriate action against Torkornoo’s counsel.
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Adu-Kusi requested a brief adjournment to comply with the correct procedure.
Justice Nyadu-Nyantei ordered the filing of appropriate processes for discontinuance and adjourned the case indefinitely.
Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo was removed from office by President John Dramani Mahama on September 1, 2025, following recommendations from a Committee of Inquiry investigating petitions against her for stated misbehaviour.
Her successor is yet to be appointed.
Meanwhile, the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is set to decide on Torkornoo’s separate case seeking reinstatement with full entitlements as well as a $10 million compensation.
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