VIDEO: Reasons for removing Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice have weakened Judiciary - Former CJ Sophia Akuffo
Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has said the reasons for removing Justice Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice and from the Supreme Court bench have significantly weakened the judiciary.
In an interview with TV3 on Tuesday, [September 2], Justice Sophia Akuffo raised concerns about the manner in which the removal process was handled.
“My honest and candid view is that this has so weakened the institution of the judiciary,” she said.
“She did not get a fair trial. Even though it is not a trial, strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial.”
Reacting to a publication that indicated that she was one of the witnesses who testified in favour of Justice Torkornoo, Justice Sophia Akuffo said she is not ashamed of testifying in her favour during the committee hearing.
She indicated she will do it again any day, anytime, anywhere.
“You can imagine the outrage I felt when I saw something on social media sent to me, revealing facts that I’m not in the least bit ashamed of. If I had to do it again, I would. The fact that I had gone to give evidence before the committee was online.
"How did that get there? And it wasn’t only me. I’m not going to repeat that unbecoming behaviour by mentioning the other names that were listed.
“Isn’t someone entitled to have witnesses on their behalf? Come to think of it, we don’t even know who testified on behalf of the petitioners, so why are those who testified for the respondents being thrown to the rabid dogs?”
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- This is why Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has been removed as Chief Justice and Justice on Supreme Court bench [FULL DETAILS]
- Justice Torkornoo removed as Chief Justice and Justice of the Supreme Court for stated misbehaviour
Reasons for removing Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice have weakened Judiciary - Former CJ Sophia Akuffohttps://t.co/bRHuQnL89h pic.twitter.com/xAOzChO2yo
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) September 2, 2025
Allegations were not strong enough to warrant Torkornoo’s removal
Justice Sophia Akuffo expressed the view that the allegations that were made against Justice Torkornoo were not strong enough to warrant her removal from office by President John Mahama.
To her, the removal of the Chief Justice from office has weakened the judiciary.
I pray to God that no Chief Justice should go through this ‘rigmarole’ again – Sophia Akuffo
The retired Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo who is also a member of the Council of State described the processes to remove Justice Torkornoo as a “rigmarole”, undeserving of any Judge or Chief Justice.
“They (allegations) lack the gravity that will lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice.
“I pray to God that no Chief Justice, no Judge should go through this rigmarole again,” she noted.
According to Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo did not get a fair trial in the process leading to her removal as the Chief Justice.
She explained that it was handled as though it was a treason trial.
“She did not get a fair trial. Even though it is not a trial strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial.”
She indicated that no Chief Justice or Judge deserves to experience the ordeal of Madam Gertrude Torkornoo has been subjected to.
“I pray to God, that no Chief Justice, no Judge should go through this rigmarole again,” she noted.
According to Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo did not get a fair trial in the process leading to her removal as the Chief Justice.
She explained that it was handled as though it were a treason trial.
“She did not get a fair trial. Even though it is not a trial strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial,” Sophia Akuffo told TV3 in an interview.
Gertrude Torkornoo’s case was handled as a treason trial – Sophia Akuffo
The process leading to the removal of Madam Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice was handled as though she were standing trial for treason.
She noted that the allegations against Madam Torkornoo were not strong enough to warrant her removal.
“They [the allegations] lack the gravity that would lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice. Allegations against the Chief Justice do not cross the threshold. It follows that the committee should not have been set up,”
credit: 3news.com
