A Ghanaian citizen, Ebenezer Osei-Owusu, has petitioned the Supreme Court to prevent President John Dramani Mahama from proceeding with consultations with the Council of State regarding the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo.
His legal challenge follows the presidency’s confirmation that it has received three separate petitions seeking the Chief Justice’s removal.
In his writ, Osei-Owusu contends that the president lacks the constitutional authority to forward such petitions without first establishing a prima facie case against the Chief Justice and providing her with copies of the petitions.
“A determination of a prima facie case by the President… cannot be made without first furnishing the Chief Justice with a copy or copies of the petition(s) seeking her removal and allowing her to comment on them,” the writ states, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Agyei Twum v. Attorney General & Akwatey (2005-2006).
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Torkornoo has officially written to President Mahama, requesting copies of the petitions filed against her.
She has also sought a seven-day period to respond before any further action is taken under the constitutional provisions governing the removal process.
