Godfred Dame defends role as CJ Torkornoo’s lawyer amid conflict of interest allegations

Former Attorney General Godfred Dame has defended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo. He claims she has the legal right to appoint him as her counsel.

Dame spoke on Movement TV’s Inside Politics with Kwaku Dawuro. He dismissed criticisms of their relationship as baseless. “Can’t the CJ pick her lawyer when she is disturbed?” he asked. He added, “I am not conflicted… There is no basis for conflict of interest.”

Dame advocates for judicial independence. He believes the Chief Justice's choice of him as her lawyer is lawful and appropriate. He noted that she has faced unfair treatment recently.

“When I was Attorney General, I always spoke on judicial independence,” he said. “It is dear to my heart; I have always been talking about it.” He urged people with good intentions for the country to stand up for what is right.

His comments come after President John Dramani Mahama suspended Chief Justice Torkornoo. This decision was based on Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution. It followed three petitions submitted to the presidency and has sparked public debate and reactions from legal and political circles.