Renowned legal practitioner Thaddeus Sory has sharply rebuked the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) for its stance on the suspension of the Chief Justice, asserting that the law is not the exclusive domain of the Bar.
His comments come in response to the GBA’s public outrage over the suspension and its call for the Acting Chief Justice to reverse a directive on case assignments.
In a Facebook post shared on April 29, 2025, Sory condemned the GBA’s demands, describing them as legally flawed and inconsistent.
He argued that the Bar’s resolution calling for the revocation of the suspension of the Chief Justice was misguided, as it failed to recognize that the powers of the office of the Chief Justice, rather than the individual holding the title, are what matter in matters such as case assignments.
Sory pointed out that the GBA’s position implied that the powers exercised by the suspended Chief Justice were personal to her, a notion he described as legally inaccurate.
He noted that, under constitutional law, the acting Chief Justice has the full legal authority to carry out these duties, as they are part of the office rather than any individual’s personal discretion.
Addressing the GBA’s concerns about the legality of the suspension, Sory reminded the Bar that Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution stipulates that the President may suspend the Chief Justice only after receiving advice from the Council of State.
He emphasized that this was a constitutional obligation, and the President could not act unilaterally.
“The law is not the exclusive preserve of the Bar’s interpretation,” Sory said, adding that the Bar’s stance in this instance was inconsistent with their previous silence on past constitutional violations and administrative oversteps made by the suspended Chief Justice.
He also reminded the GBA that their previous attempts to challenge constitutional matters had been met with embarrassing defeats, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Sory concluded by urging the GBA to take its grievances to the courts if it believed it had a strong constitutional case.
“If the Bar believes its case is solid, it should not resort to public outbursts or threats. Let the courts decide,” he said.
Sory’s response has reignited the ongoing debate over the legality of the Chief Justice’s suspension and the role of the Bar in interpreting constitutional law.
The GBA now faces pressure to either pursue legal action or withdraw its public opposition, while the legal community remains divided on the matter.
