Mahama petitioned to dissolve committee probing Chief Justice

A Ghanaian citizen, Alfred Ababio Kumi, has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, requesting the immediate dissolution of the five-member committee constituted to investigate petitions for the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.

The petition alleges serious breaches of judicial conduct by members of the committee that, according to the petitioner, undermine the integrity and credibility of the ongoing inquiry.

In the petition, addressed to the President and dated shortly after the committee’s first sitting on May 15, 2025, Mr. Kumi expressed grave concern over what he described as a compromising meeting between two committee members—Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu—and Thaddeus Sory, counsel for one of the petitioners in the matter.

According to Mr Kumi, the meeting occurred on the evening of May 15 at Santoku Restaurant in Accra’s Airport Residential Area and was also attended by Supreme Court Justice, Yonni Kulendi.

The individuals were reportedly overheard discussing matters relating to the petition, which Mr. Kumi argues constitutes a serious conflict of interest and a breach of judicial ethics.

“The meeting between Justices Pwamang, Kulendi and Asiedu with Thaddeus Sory clearly has destroyed the integrity of the process and reduces public confidence in the process so far,” the petition reads.

Mr Kumi further alleges that Justice Pwamang has previously ruled in favour of the same petitioner represented by Mr. Sory, while Chief Justice Torkornoo had taken opposing positions in related matters.

He also pointed out that Justices Kulendi, Pwamang, and Adibu-Asiedu are all believed to have had prior interest in the Chief Justice position and were reportedly disappointed after President Akufo-Addo’s appointment of Justice Torkornoo.

“Justice Pwamang is known to be interested in becoming the Chief Justice following your election as President… Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu is also on record to have actively lobbied to be the Chief Justice after the exit of Justice Anin Yeboah,” Kumi stated.

The petitioner described the judges’ conduct as “deplorable” and “most unbecoming,” insisting that it compromises their ability to fairly adjudicate the petitions before them.

The five-member committee, announced by the presidency on April 22, 2025, is composed of:

1. Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang – Supreme Court Judge
2. Justice Samuel Adibu-Asiedu – Supreme Court Judge
3. Daniel Yao Domelovo – Former Auditor-General
4. Major Flora Bazwaanura Dalugo – Member of the Ghana Armed Forces

The committee was constituted under Article 146(6) of the 1992 Constitution to inquire into three separate petitions for the removal of the Chief Justice. Its inaugural sitting was scheduled for May 15.

Calling the entire process a potential “sham,” Mr. Kumi concluded his petition by urging President Mahama to act swiftly to safeguard the credibility of the constitutional process and to preserve public trust in the administration of justice.

The Office of the President has not yet officially responded to the petition.