'No news at all' - Ayikoi Otoo says ECOWAS court's rejection of Torkornoo's request expected

Lawyer for former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Nii Ayikoi Otoo, says the dismissal of her application for interim measures by the ECOWAS Court of Justice did not come as a surprise to her legal team.

His remarks follow Wednesday November 19, 2025 ruling in which the regional court declined Justice Torkornoo’s request for temporary orders to halt the work of the committee that investigated her removal from office.

“For us, it is no news at all,” Otoo said. “Our Nigerian lawyers had written to the Court, informing them that the government of Ghana was not respecting the matters before the Court and was going ahead with actions that could prejudice the hearing.

ECOWAS court ruling does not affect substantive case – Torkornoo's lawyer

According to citinewsroom report on November 20, 2025, the court acknowledged that Justice Torkornoo had established a prima facie human rights claim but concluded that she failed to demonstrate urgency, noting that she filed the motion three months after her suspension.

The Court also dismissed the Government of Ghana’s preliminary objection that the case was sub judice.

It held that the issues before the ECOWAS court relate to alleged human rights violations and do not seek to overturn decisions of Ghanaian courts.

The Attorney General has been directed to file a response as preparations begin for the hearing of the substantive case.

Ayikoi Otoo explained that his team had already anticipated the outcome because their Nigerian counterparts had notified the Court that the Government of Ghana continued to take actions affecting the matter despite the pending regional proceedings.

Sacked Chief Justice Torkornoo wins key ruling against government at ECOWAS Court

He said the government’s posture indicated that interim measures were unlikely to halt ongoing developments in Ghana, prompting the court to prioritise setting a date for the main case.

“So, the conclusion was that the Court should forget about the interim measure and instead give a date for the substantive matter to be heard”, he said.

MRA/EB

‘More women might come out against you if you go to court’ Lawyer warns Prof Gyampo