CJ suspension: Narrow 3-2 ruling shows our case had merit - Dame on SC decision

Former Attorney General Godfred Dame believes the Supreme Court's 3-2 decision shows the legal merit of his challenge. This was despite the unfavorable outcome regarding Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's suspension.

The ruling came after lawyers for Old Tafo MP Vincent Assafuah sought to halt proceedings. They argued that constitutional questions about judicial independence and due process needed resolution first.

While the majority found no grounds for an injunction, Mr. Dame highlighted the dissent from two justices. He spoke to JoyNews after the ruling, expressing concerns about Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie presiding over this case.

Mr. Dame stated, "This is incongruous in our judicial history." He added that if anyone benefits from these developments, it is the acting Chief Justice.

He found it intriguing that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie participated in these proceedings. The former AG noted that the narrow 3-2 decision indicates his application had merit.

"We await the court's full reasoning before determining our next steps," he said.

The ruling followed a unanimous dismissal of Mr. Dame's objection to Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s participation. He argued it was improper for him to both empanel judges and preside over a case involving a suspended Chief Justice.

This could undermine public confidence in judicial independence, he warned. The five-member panel includes Justices Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Henrietta Mensa Bonsu, Yonny Kulendi, Amadu Tanko, and Ernest Gaewu.

With the injunction rejected, the court will now consider substantive constitutional questions surrounding Chief Justice Torkornoo's controversial suspension.