By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The absence of one of the five justices, His Lordship Samuel Asiedu, from the hearing of an application seeking to injunct President John Dramani Mahama and the Council of State from determining whether there is a prima facie case in the petitions seeking the removal of the Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs. Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has forced Ghana’s Apex Court, the Supreme Court (SC), to adjourn the hearing to May 6, 2025.
His Lordship Asiedu was absent on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, when the case was called.
The Presiding Judge, Her Ladyship Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, explained that they “have had problems and for unavoidable reasons have to adjourn”. She thus adjourned the case to Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
The suit, filed by Old Tafo Member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Ekow Assafuah, questions President Mahama’s move to consult the Council of State without first informing the Chief Justice or giving her a chance to respond to the allegations raised in the petitions against her.
Assafuah argues that this action breaches Article 146(6) of the Constitution.
The Old Tafo lawmaker, represented by the immediate past Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, insists that the approach violates the Constitution and undermines judicial independence.
