Supreme Court Postpones Chief Justice Removal Case Indefinitely: Legal Uncertain

Supreme Court Postpones Chief Justice Removal Case Indefinitely: Legal Uncertainty Persists

Morgan Freeman Blog | April 9, 2025

In a significant case that may alter the landscape of Ghana's judiciary, the Supreme Court has indefinitely postponed a motion aimed at preventing the potential removal of the Chief Justice. This legal dispute, initiated by Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, seeks to suspend the impeachment proceedings until a thorough examination of their constitutionality is conducted.

Court's Ruling: The Importance of Judicial Independence

The decision was made by a five-member panel chaired by Justice Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, following a request for adjournment from the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General cited a conference of State Attorneys taking place in Accra, necessitating the postponement of all cases involving the Attorney-General's office.

Despite the court being previously informed of this scheduling issue, State Attorney Reginald Odoi attended in person to relay the request directly. In a tense exchange, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the former Attorney-General and legal representative for the applicant, voiced his dissatisfaction with the timing, questioning how a matter of such constitutional significance could be delayed due to a conference.

Political and Legal Implications: The Impact on Ghana

This adjournment has raised alarms regarding the integrity of the impeachment process and its broader implications for Ghana's judiciary. With a case of this magnitude pending, many are scrutinizing the potential influence of political factors on judicial proceedings and the risk of conflicts of interest jeopardizing the independence of the judicial system.

Justice Mensa-Bonsu indicated that the case will be referred back to the Chief Justice to establish a new date, leaving the legal community in a state of anticipation. This delay underscores the ongoing friction between judicial authority and political interests in Ghana.

What Lies Ahead for the Chief Justice?

As the nation awaits further developments, the adjournment has intensified concerns regarding the future of the Chief Justice and the implications for the judiciary.