“Attorney General, You Can Do Whatever You Want” – Why CJ Had a Conversation with Dame in Court

The moment the AG and the Chief Justice had the conversation

But if the request by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, for the Supreme Court case in which a number of private citizens are challenging the approval of the anti-gay bill by parliament to be televised, a large part of the drama that took place in the courtroom can be broadcast. have not been made so public.

One such important moment occurred when Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, after listening to all the arguments from both sides in the case, decided to address the Attorney General.

Referring to Godfred Dame’s original paragraph 8 of the affidavit he submitted to the court in response to Nana Konadu Frimpong, in which he set out three issues, CJ Gertrude Torkornoo posed a question to the AG.

She informed him that she, and by extension the court, wanted to understand his position on these issues and requested that he explain his position in a report.

The Court emphasized the importance of clarity so that the AG does not catch anyone off guard.

In his response, Godfred Dame stated that he strictly adhered to the rules, with the ECJ pointing out that the same rules required him to draw up an official report.

The brief conversation between the two officials appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is detailed below, depicting the exchange and power dynamics present in the court at the time.

Read it below:

Chief Justice: Attorney General, look at your original paragraph 8 of the affidavit in reply of Nana Konadu Frimpong. You raise three issues. What is your position towards them? This court instructs you to indicate your position in the explanatory memorandum, so that you do not surprise anyone.

Attorney General: That’s fine, because I strictly adhere to the rules…

Chief Justice: Are you going to file an affidavit or not?

Attorney General: Ma’am, you have ordered that I file.

Chief Justice: If you do not file a statement of case, I will not let you argue a legal issue; I won’t hear you either. You were obliged to do so, but you did not file a report. You have now been granted an extension.

Attorney General: Ma’am, the rules of the Supreme Court do not require a motion for an injunction or opposition unless ordered to do so by the court, so I will do as I am told.

Chief Justice: Attorney General, you can do whatever you want, but if you don’t want to file a statement of case, that’s your choice. I won’t hear you. Can this be my last word? Thank you.

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