Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has issued a sharp rebuttal to what he describes as persistent public attacks by legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory, accusing him of obsessive commentary and unfounded allegations designed to malign his professional integrity.
In a detailed statement released on Saturday 24th May 2025, Mr. Dame stated that he had long ignored Sory’s criticisms but was compelled to respond to certain “fundamentally false” claims in a recent publication by the lawyer, whom he accuses of being aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Claims of Political Obsession and Professional Misconduct
Mr. Dame began by accusing Mr. Sory of harboring an “obsession” with him, describing the lawyer’s actions as evidence of “living rent-free in [his] mind.” He condemned the tone and language used by Mr. Sory in his commentaries, labeling it “abusive and offensive,” and in violation of professional conduct and etiquette expected of a lawyer of his standing.
“I leave the authorities that regulate the legal profession and are responsible for upholding standards of professional conduct to judge,” Mr. Dame noted.
Denies Claims of “Never Losing a Case”
Refuting claims that he has boasted about never losing a case as Attorney-General, Dame cited multiple public statements in which he acknowledged defeats in the courts. He referenced speeches at the 2023 and 2024 Annual Bar Conferences in Cape Coast and Kumasi, where he listed key losses, including:
- Ghana Centre for Democratic Development & 8 Others v. The Attorney-General
- Appiagyei Atuah v. The Attorney-General
- Ezuame Mannan v. The Attorney-General & Speaker of Parliament
“I proudly exhibited some of my losses,” Dame said, asserting that these instances reflect the independence of Ghana’s judiciary and not personal failure.
Recounts Past Legal Victory Over Sory
In a personal rebuke, Dame reminded Mr. Sory of a legal battle from 2007 to 2009 in which he claims to have defeated him “miserably,” both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal. “Was I the Attorney-General in those years?” he asked rhetorically, suggesting that his legal skill was evident even before assuming public office.
Defends International Legal Record
Mr. Dame also highlighted his record in international arbitration, noting that under his leadership, Ghana won all international legal disputes without reliance on foreign counsel. He cited a specific case won in November 2024, which secured approximately $2.2 million in Ghana’s favor.
“This legal acumen was not confined to Ghana but extended to successful defenses of Ghana’s interests abroad,” he asserted.
Dismisses Political Motives and Alignments
While acknowledging that Sory has represented clients across the political divide, Dame questioned the “incongruity” of Mr. Sory and Tsatsu Tsikata—counsel for the Speaker of Parliament and former President Mahama—pursuing legal action that he believes is aimed at undermining the Chief Justice.
“If you do not find it incongruous that the lawyers of the heads of two arms of government have teamed up to remove the lady Chief Justice of the Republic from office, I cannot fault you,” he wrote.
On the Ato Forson Case
Dame also referenced the controversial Ato Forson trial, indicating that the current Attorney-General, under the new NDC administration, had withdrawn a pending appeal—effectively shielding the case from Supreme Court review.
Concluding Remarks
In closing, Mr. Dame expressed his intention to refrain from further responses, stating: “This, I hope, will be my only and ever response to you.” Nonetheless, he predicted that his comments would likely provoke additional criticism from Mr. Sory, concluding with a pointed jab: “When Godfred Dame coughs, the whole NDC catches a cold.”
The statement is the latest development in ongoing public legal and political sparring between key figures in Ghana’s legal and political landscape, further intensifying scrutiny of the judiciary’s independence and the conduct of prominent legal professionals.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
