William Atuguba Slams NPP Over Torkornoo's Removal: "You Lack the Moral Authority to Criticise"
- Retired Supreme Court judge William Atuguba has criticised the NPP over their criticism of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo's removal
- He said the party lacked credibility since it previously relied on Article 146 to remove officials like Charlotte Osei and Lauretta Lamptey
- Justice Atuguba dismissed NPP’s claims of political motivation, insisting that implementing manifestos is part of governance
Retired Supreme Court judge, William Atuguba, has slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for expressing their opinions on the removal of Gertrude Torkornoo as the Chief Justice of Ghana.
Speaking to Joy News, the retired Supreme Court judge said the NPP lacked the moral authority and credibility to criticise President John Mahama over the former Chief Justice’s removal.
Source: Facebook
He argued that the NPP relied on the same constitutional provisions, Article 146, to oust other top government officials in the past, citing Charlotte Osei, the former Electoral Commissioner, and Lauretta Lamptey, the former CHRAJ Commissioner, to buttress his point.
"Don't forget that Charlotte Osei and the CHRAJ Commissioner, one lady, [Madam Lamptey], it was under the same conditions, the same provisions. Stated misbehaviour. And were these not the people who did it? At that time, did they have trouble with what stated misbehaviour is? Why, suddenly, when their appointee is involved in the same thing, they say Hey,” he questioned.
Justice Atuguba (rtd) further dismissed the NPP's claim that Gertrude Torkornoo's removal was premeditated and politically motivated.
"When the parties are contesting for elections, don't they have their manifestos as to what they would come and do when elected into power? So, when they are elected and they are implementing the manifesto, what's wrong with it? That it is premeditated and is endorsed by the voters? You mean, somebody should just come to power without any programme for running the country?" he said.
"The important question is not when. I remember that before the elections, I used to say that the judiciary needed restructuring," he added.
Watch excerpts of William Atuguba's interview with Joy News below:
President Mahama dismisses Gertrude Torkornoo
On September 1, 2025, President John Mahama dismissed Gertrude Araba Torkornoo as the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana.
The decision followed recommendations from a five-member committee established under Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The process for Torkornoo's dismissal began after a petition dated March 17, 2025, was filed by a Ghanaian citizen, Daniel Ofori, who sought her removal on grounds of misconduct and stated misbehaviour.
Following this, President Mahama suspended her after a prima facie case was established by the Council of State in response to petitions.
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Afenyo-Markin reacts to Gertrude Torkornoo's removal
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, criticised the dismissal of the now former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Mahama.
He described the move as unjust and accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining Ghana’s enviable democracy.
The Minority Leader also chastised the Chairman of the committee, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, for the recommendation to sack Gertrude Torkornoo.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
