Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has firmly rejected growing calls for President John Dramani Mahama to pause ongoing proceedings related to the potential removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
His remarks follow another adjournment by the Supreme Court in a high-stakes case that seeks to restrain the President and the Council of State from acting on petitions that could lead to the Chief Justice’s dismissal.
The court session, scheduled for determination on an injunction application, was stalled due to the absence of one of the five-member panel, Justice Samuel Asiedu. Explaining the delay, Presiding Justice Henrietta Mensah Bonsu cited unavoidable logistical challenges and confirmed the matter had been adjourned once again.
The legal challenge—filed by former Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame—seeks to temporarily halt the President from proceeding with any review or further steps on the petitions until the Court delivers its ruling.
But addressing journalists after the court session, Dr. Ayine insisted that the President remains constitutionally empowered—and obligated—to continue with the process, regardless of the pending court decision.
“He has applied to the court, and the court is yet to make an order,” Ayine argued. “So, if he is saying the President should wait, is he implying the court has already granted an order to that effect?”
The Attorney General further clarified that no injunction had been granted, and thus, nothing legally prevents the President from exercising his constitutional mandate.
“There is no legal basis to suspend the process. The Constitution makes it clear that the President cannot be barred from executing his duties through mere applications,” Dr. Ayine said.
His comments come amid a deepening legal and political standoff, with concerns about judicial independence and executive overreach dominating public discourse. However, Dr. Ayine maintains that the President is acting strictly within the bounds of the law.
