ECOWAS Court admits A-G’s defence, orders former Chief Justice to respond

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has given Justice Gertrude Torkornoo seven days to respond to the statement of defence filed by the Deputy Attorney-General in the matter in which the former Chief Justice is challenging both her suspension and removal from office.

At the previous hearing, Justice Torkornoo was allowed to amend her statement of case, which initially focused solely on her suspension, to include her removal from office.

The court had directed the Attorney-General, represented by Dr Justice Srem-Sai, to file a defence to the amended statement of case within 30 days. However, the defence was not filed within the stipulated time.

When the case was called today, Dr Srem-Sai explained that the defence had been submitted late because the directive containing the court’s order had not been served on his office.

Counsel for the former Chief Justice, Femi Falana, urged the court to strike out the statement of defence, arguing that it was filed out of time and without leave of the court.

The court, however, exercised its discretion and allowed the Deputy Attorney-General’s statement of defence. It further granted lawyers for Justice Torkornoo seven days to respond.