Removal of CJ Torkornoo: 'Perhaps she did the same thing' – Deputy AG fires Sophia Akuffo

The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Justice Srem-Sai, has reacted to former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo’s criticism of the government's removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Speaking on TV3 on September 3, 2025, Srem-Sai reacted to Justice Sophia Akuffo’s claim that the removal of Justice Torkornoo was "unfair."

The former Chief Justice argued that the allegations against Torkornoo were too trivial to warrant such an action.

'I pray no Chief Justice should go through this' – Akuffo criticises CJ removal process

Justice Srem-Sai, however, noted that the posture of Justice Akuffo suggests that she did not exactly say that the allegations against Justice Torkornoo are false.

This, he said, could imply that Justice Akuffo might have done the same things that got Justice Torkornoo removed while she (Akuffo) was Chief Justice.

“When I listen to the former Chief Justice, I get the impression she herself probably had been doing these things when she was in office. Clearly, she didn’t think it was a big deal,” he said.

Gertrude Torkornoo’s case was handled as a treason trial – Sophia Akuffo fumes

“The allegation we’ve heard, which has not been denied, per her (Justice Akuffo’s) statements are things she considers flippant,” he said.

“The former Chief Justice is not saying that the allegation is false. Her position is that it is moral. So, let it slide. This gives me the impression that perhaps even when she was in office, she was doing the same thing,” he reiterated.

What former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo said:

Justice Sophia Akuffo criticised the process that led to the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, describing it as a "rigmarole" and an ordeal no judge should endure.

In an exclusive interview with TV3 on September 2, 2025, Justice Akuffo, who is also a member of the Council of State, expressed dismay over how the proceedings were handled.

"I pray to God that no Chief Justice, no judge should goes through this rigmarole again," she said.

She added that Torkornoo was denied a fair hearing in a process that "was handled as though it were a treason trial."

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