The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has rejected former Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo’s claim for US$10 million in damages against the Republic of Ghana, ruling that no violation of her rights had been established.
The disclosure was made by Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, who announced that the regional court had dismissed all seven claims brought by the former Chief Justice in her case against the Ghanaian state.
According to him, the court found no basis for awarding compensation because it had concluded that Ghana did not breach any of the rights cited by Torkornoo under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“In light of the Court’s conclusions that Ghana has not violated any of the Applicant’s rights under the African Charter as alleged, the Court makes no decision on reparations,” Justice Srem-Sai quoted from the judgment.
Torkornoo had sought the damages as compensation for alleged moral and reputational harm arising from her suspension and subsequent removal from office as Chief Justice.
The court’s decision means her request for financial compensation has been dismissed alongside the substantive claims she brought against the state.
Justice Srem-Sai welcomed the outcome and commended the legal team that represented Ghana before the ECOWAS Court.
“Thanks, again, to our team of illustrious State Attorneys who put in hours and hours of research to support the Republic’s defense,” he stated.
The ruling effectively ends the former Chief Justice’s case before the regional court and leaves intact the actions taken by Ghanaian authorities regarding her removal from office.
