Legal practitioner, Ebo Dantse Benjamin, has highlighted potential roadblocks in embattled Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo’s legal action against the Government of Ghana at the ECOWAS Court in Abuja. Speaking on Focus FM’s Teknokrat Show with host Kharyullah Issah Dobo, Lawyer Dantse explained that the case, filed on July 4th and now gaining continental attention, could face jurisdictional limitations that may affect its admissibility and potential impact.
“Every case before an international tribunal begins with a question of jurisdiction. The ECOWAS Court must determine whether it has the authority to hear this matter—especially when local avenues have not been fully exhausted,” he stated.
He added that the Court’s hesitation would likely stem from its desire not to interfere with Ghana’s ongoing judicial processes. “The ECOWAS Court will be careful not to undermine Ghana’s legal framework by running parallel proceedings.
If her case is seen as bypassing local remedies—like Ghana’s High Court—it could be dismissed on those grounds.” While some speculate the legal move may be a strategy to halt her current suspension and reaffirm her constitutional rights, Mr. Dantse said the outcome remains uncertain.
“If the ECOWAS Court rules in her favor, Ghana will have to consider the ruling seriously. But that decision does not automatically take effect.
It must go through registration and enforcement mechanisms within Ghana’s legal system,” he emphasized. The Deputy Attorney General, Srem Sai, had earlier confirmed the Chief Justice’s petition, sparking debate over the balance between national and regional justice mechanisms.
For now, the case awaits its first hearing in Abuja as observers monitor how regional law intersects with national sovereignty in one of Ghana’s most closely watched legal sagas in recent years.