Kweku Baako Backs Sophia Akuffo’s Criticism of Justice Torkornoo’s Removal

Mr. Baako said he agrees with Sophia Akuffo’s view that the allegations against Justice Torkornoo lacked sufficient weight to warrant her dismissal by President John Dramani Mahama.

Commenting under a Facebook post by Vice President of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil, Baako wrote:“I agree with her [Sophia Akuffo’s] judgment on the effect of the conclusions of the Pwamang Article 146 Committee. Same way I disagreed with her [Sophia Akuffo’s] prima facie determination on the petition against Charlotte Osei and the subsequent Justice Benin Committee’s recommendation on Charlotte Osei, which was largely driven by her [Sophia Akuffo’s] prima facie determination!”

His remarks highlight a rare alignment between himself and Sophia Akuffo, after strongly opposing her decision in 2018 that paved the way for the removal of former Electoral Commission Chair, Charlotte Osei.

Meanwhile, Madam Sophia Akuffo, a member of the Council of State, has openly condemned the processes that led to Justice Torkornoo’s removal. Speaking in an interview, she described the proceedings as a “rigmarole,” undeserving of any judge, much less the Chief Justice.

“They [the allegations] lack the gravity that will lead to a grave outcome such as the removal of the head of an institution of justice,” she said. “I pray to God that no Chief Justice, no Judge should go through this rigmarole again.”

She further argued that Justice Torkornoo was denied a fair process, saying the proceedings were handled “as though it were a treason trial.”

Justice Gertrude Torkornoo was officially removed from office on Monday, September 1, 2025, after President Mahama acted on the recommendations of a five-member Article 146 Committee of Inquiry chaired by Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.

The committee, which included former Auditor-General Daniel Yaw Domelevo, Major Flora Bazaanura Dalugo of the Ghana Armed Forces, and Professor James Sefah Dzisah of the University of Ghana, concluded that the grounds of stated misbehavior under Article 146(1) had been established.

Justice Torkornoo had been suspended in April 2025 after three separate petitions led to the establishment of a prima facie case against her.