By Francis Kobena Tandoh
Former Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Sophia Akuffo, has strongly criticized the public disclosure of her testimony during the in-camera proceedings of the Article 146 Committee set up by the president that investigated the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
According to a recent interview with local media, the leakage of her in-camera testimony before the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee smacks of “bad faith,” and she said she was “outraged” upon learning her participation had been made public, given that the hearing was supposed to be confidential.
Akuffo, a member of the Council of State, emphasized that she saw no signs of media or unauthorized recording when arriving at the venue, leading her to question how such information made its way into the public domain. She condemned the leak as fundamentally incompatible with the integrity expected of in-camera proceedings.
She also made it clear that she harbors no regrets for testifying. On the contrary, she said she would do it again at any time.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was suspended on 22 April 2025 by President John Mahama, based on several petitions and in consultation with the Council of State. A five-member Article 146 Committee was subsequently set up to investigate the allegations.
On 1 September 2025, the President formally dismissed Torkornoo following the committee’s recommendation, citing “stated misbehavior.”
Akuffo has also condemned the removal process itself, describing it as a “rigmarole” that treated Torkornoo as if she were facing a treason trial—not a constitutional inquiry—despite the allegations lacking sufficient gravity to justify such severe consequences. She warned that it sets a dangerous precedent for Ghana’s judiciary.
She further lamented that the process may have weakened the judiciary, expressing concern over its implications for judicial independence. Enditem
Source: Ghana Eye Report
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