CJ Removal Saga: Ansa-Asare takes aim at former CJ Sophia Akuffo

Former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa-Asare, has accused former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo of breaching her oath of secrecy as a Council of State member by commenting on the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo as Chief Justice.

In an interview with TV3 on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Sophia Akuffo criticised the process leading to Torkornoo’s removal, arguing that she did not receive a fair hearing.

The Council of State member said the allegations against Torkornoo were insufficient to justify her ouster and described the proceedings as a “treason trial,” adding that they had weakened the judiciary.

“My honest and candid view is that this has so weakened the institution of the Judiciary. She did not get a fair trial. Even though it was not a trial strictly speaking, it was handled as though it were a treason trial,” she stated.

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Reacting to these remarks on TV3, Ansa-Asare condemned Sophia Akuffo’s comments as inappropriate, noting that her role as a Council of State member required her to uphold an oath of secrecy.

He argued that her statements indirectly revealed knowledge of confidential proceedings at the Council of State and committee sittings, thereby breaching the trust reposed in her by the public.

“All I can say is that our eminent and distinguished former Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana has nodded a little. The public has reposed confidence in her, she subscribed to the oath of a member of the Council of State and the oath of secrecy, so her comment and the whole interview are inappropriate,” Ansa-Asare said.

He added that her actions raise concerns about governance, confidence, and trust in national leaders.

Read Justice Torkornoo's full response to Daniel Ofori's petition

The legal practitioner urged Sophia Akuffo to remain silent on such matters, emphasising that the oath is a sacred duty that must not be broken.

“What she has done is a clear breach of the trust the good people of Ghana have reposed in her,” he remarked, advising her to refrain from further public statements on the issue.

On Monday, September 1, 2025, President John Dramani Mahama signed a warrant for the removal of Madam Torkornoo as Chief Justice and as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana.

According to the President, the decision was based on the binding recommendations of a committee that had established stated misbehaviour against Madam Torkornoo following its investigations.

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