On Wednesday, October 30, Thaddeus Sory, counsel for Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, formally requested that Supreme Court Justice Yao Gaewu step down from a case involving the Speaker’s ruling to vacate four parliamentary seats. Sory cited potential bias due to alleged prior affiliations between Justice Gaewu and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The recusal request arose amid intense court exchanges, as Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame challenged sections of the Speaker’s affidavit, specifically paragraphs 21 and 49, labeling them “scandalous” for potentially politicizing the Speaker’s decision and affecting the case’s legal integrity.
Further tensions unfolded when Joe Ghartey, representing Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, attempted to make a preliminary statement. However, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo reprimanded Ghartey for allowing a junior lawyer to handle key introductory remarks, deeming it disrespectful to courtroom decorum. Consequently, Ghartey’s comments were dismissed.
This high-stakes case, closely watched for its impact on parliamentary representation and judicial oversight, serves as a critical test of the balance of power between Ghana’s legislative and judicial branches. The Supreme Court panel, led by Chief Justice Torkonoo, is expected to rule on the recusal request and other major points of contention in the proceedings later today.