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Godfred Dame and Thaddeus Sory clash over allegations of partisanship in line of duty
Godfred Dame and Thaddeus Sory clash over allegations of partisanship in line of duty
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
A fiery legal and political war of words has erupted between private legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory and former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, following the ongoing petition to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo from office.
Sory, who is part of the legal team representing one of the petitioners, lashed out at Dame in a Facebook post on May 23, describing him as an “incongruous cry baby” and accusing him of hypocrisy and unethical conduct.
The sharp-tongued response came after Dame appeared on Joy FM’s Top Story, where he suggested that the petition was politically motivated and being orchestrated by lawyers with ties to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), including Sory, Tsatsu Tsikata, and Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
Sory Fires Back
In his social media statement, Sory categorically rejected allegations of partisanship, citing his extensive legal career that includes representing New Patriotic Party (NPP) figures such as Ambrose Dery, O.B. Amoah, and Kwaku Kwarteng, as well as clients in politically sensitive cases like the Ghana @ 50 trial.
“You were appointed Deputy Attorney-General by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, hardly a coincidence. That appointment itself was incongruous. Your elevation to Attorney-General was even more so,” Sory wrote.
He accused Dame of lacking credibility and professionalism, referencing the Attorney-General’s controversial interaction with accused persons behind their counsels’ backs—a matter that previously sparked national debate.
Sory also referenced Dame’s alleged interference in the case of Vincent Ekow Assafuah, whose injunction application against the Chief Justice’s removal process was dismissed by the Supreme Court in a narrow 3-2 ruling earlier this month.
“Stop the tantrums. The next ‘knock’ may not be a gentle tap. It will land like a sledgehammer… Don’t be silly,” Sory warned.
Dame Responds: “You Live in My Mind Rent-Free”
In a rare and strongly-worded rejoinder, Godfred Dame accused Sory of obsession and professional misconduct, stating that Sory had continuously targeted him with public attacks.
“Your predilection to comment on the slightest thing I do or say is not lost on the public… I live in your mind rent-free. Indeed, your obsession with Godfred Dame is bewildering and needs healing,” Dame wrote.
He condemned what he called the “abusive and offensive language” employed by Sory, claiming it violates legal ethical standards. Dame urged regulatory authorities in the legal profession to take note.
The former Attorney-General also refuted claims that he boasted about never losing a case during his tenure, pointing out several high-profile defeats his office faced, which he said demonstrated Ghana’s judicial independence.
“At the Bar Conferences in Cape Coast (2023) and Kumasi (2024), I proudly highlighted losses my office suffered in important constitutional cases. These losses were not signs of failure but rather evidence of a robust and independent judiciary,” he said.
Old Rivalries Resurface
Dame went further to recall a legal case from 2007–2009, in which he claimed to have defeated Sory both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal.
“Oh Thaddeus! Doth ye have such short memory?” he wrote, suggesting that Sory’s criticisms stem from envy.
He also touted his achievements in international arbitration cases, noting that under his leadership, Ghana successfully defended its interests abroad, winning significant awards without the need for foreign counsel.
The legal showdown between Sory and Dame unfolds against the backdrop of an intensifying political and constitutional issue—the petition for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. The involvement of high-profile lawyers aligned with both major political parties has sparked wider concerns about judicial independence and the role of partisan influence in Ghana’s legal system.
While Dame accuses the NDC of attempting to destabilize the judiciary for political gain, the petitioners’ legal team insists the petition is based solely on constitutional breaches and misconduct by the Chief Justice.
