Alfred Ababio Kumi, a concerned Ghanaian citizen, has submitted a formal petition to President John Dramani Mahama, calling for the immediate disbandment of the five-member committee set up to investigate calls for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Mr. Kumi’s petition, dated shortly after the committee’s inaugural sitting on May 15, 2025, accuses certain members of the panel of engaging in conduct that he believes undermines the credibility and impartiality of the inquiry process.
At the heart of his concerns is an alleged private meeting involving two committee members—Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu—along with Supreme Court Justice Yonni Kulendi and Thaddeus Sory, the legal representative for one of the petitioners.
According to Mr. Kumi, this meeting reportedly took place on the evening of May 15 at the upscale Santoku Restaurant located in Accra’s Airport Residential Area. He claims that the judges and the lawyer were overheard discussing issues connected to the case, a situation he says constitutes a clear breach of judicial ethics and a conflict of interest.
“This gathering casts a shadow over the entire inquiry. It sends the wrong signal to the public and erodes the credibility of the proceedings,” Mr. Kumi argued in his petition.
He further alleged that Justice Pwamang has a history of ruling in favor of the same petitioner represented by Mr. Sory, while Chief Justice Torkornoo had taken opposing positions in related matters—indicating a potential bias within the committee.
Kumi also claimed that Justices Pwamang, Kulendi, and Adibu-Asiedu may have personal motivations, as they were previously rumored to have sought the position of Chief Justice following the retirement of Justice Anin Yeboah, only to be overlooked in favor of Justice Torkornoo.
“These developments point to a dangerous erosion of fairness and neutrality in what is supposed to be a constitutional process. The conduct of the judges in question is not only inappropriate but brings the integrity of the committee into serious question,” the petitioner asserted.
The committee, formed by the presidency on April 22, 2025, is tasked with investigating three separate petitions regarding the possible removal of the Chief Justice. The Committee is chaired by Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang – Supreme Court.
Labeling the current inquiry as potentially compromised, Mr. Kumi urged the President to intervene immediately by dissolving the panel to protect the legitimacy of the constitutional process and restore public confidence in the justice system.
