The ECOWAS Court of Justice has, this morning, dismissed an application for interim measures filed by Mrs. Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, ruling that the request failed to meet the essential legal criteria required for such relief.
In its detailed assessment, the Court held that the application did not demonstrate the urgency or the imminent risk of irreparable harm necessary to justify granting interim measures. According to the Court, the Applicant’s own actions undermined her claims of urgency.
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In a strong statement, the Court noted:
“The Applicant’s own conduct defeats her claim of imminent and irreparable harm. The Court is, therefore, satisfied that the Applicant has not demonstrated the existence of imminent or exceptional circumstance that will justify the urgency of the application filed almost 3 months after the act complained of.”
The Court further explained that urgency is a mandatory and foundational requirement for considering interim or provisional relief. Since Justice Torkornoo’s application failed at this threshold, there was no need to examine the remaining criteria, which are cumulative.
“In the light of the Applicant’s failure to meet the requirement of urgency, the Court finds no basis to assess the remaining criteria for provisional measures, same being cumulative. The request for provisional measures as outlined by the Applicant, same not substantiated, is therefore dismissed.”
This ruling effectively closes the door at least for now on the interim measures sought by Justice Torkornoo, pending further proceedings, if any. The Court’s decision reinforces its long-standing position that applicants must demonstrate timely action, clear urgency, and concrete evidence of imminent harm when seeking provisional relief.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.
