I’ve always stood for the judiciary – Dame defends role as lawyer for Torkonoo

Former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has defended his decision to represent suspended Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, in a case currently before the Supreme Court, dismissing concerns of a conflict of interest.

She was suspended by President John Dramani Mahama in line with Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, pending the outcome of the proceedings.

In an interview on JoyNews, Mr. Dame rejected allegations of impropriety, asserting that his actions were lawful and intended to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.

Mr. Dame stated that public misinformation must not be allowed to go unchecked, emphasizing that defending judicial independence is a duty that transcends political considerations.

“It is about time that good men in this country speak for what is righteous and what is right. If there is any Attorney-General who, right from his appointment, has stood up for the judiciary and spoken against attacks on it, it is myself.

“It is not right and must be corrected. It is about time that proper things are stood for in this country. We cannot let people mislead the public and let it go uncorrected,” he stated.

The Chief Justice, through her legal team led by Dame, filed a suit on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, seeking an interlocutory injunction to halt the proceedings of a five-member committee established to investigate multiple petitions for her removal from office.

The suit also calls on the Supreme Court to bar Justices Gabriel Scott Pwamang and Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu from participating in the inquiry, citing questions about their impartiality.

The writ, filed on behalf of Justice Torkornoo, lists the following as respondents: Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu, former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo, Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah.

Justice Torkornoo is seeking a court order to restrain the committee—comprising the second to sixth respondents—from proceeding with any further inquiry into the petitions seeking her dismissal.