Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant Alfred Ababio Kumi, popularly known as Adenta Kumi, has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to dissolve the five-member committee tasked with investigating petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
In his petition, Mr. Kumi raises serious concerns over alleged breaches of judicial ethics and potential conflicts of interest involving two members of the committee and a legal representative for one of the petitioners. He argues that these developments have compromised the integrity of the investigation and could render the process illegitimate.
“The committee’s credibility has been gravely undermined. If this process continues under the current structure, it risks becoming a complete sham,” the petition warns.
Kumi claims that on the evening of May 15, 2025—shortly after the committee’s inaugural session—Supreme Court Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu were allegedly seen dining at Santoku Restaurant in Accra with Thaddeus Sory, the lawyer representing one of the petitioners. Also reportedly present was Justice Yonni Kulendi.
According to Kumi, the group was overheard discussing matters directly related to the ongoing case, raising serious doubts about their impartiality.
“The presence of Justices Pwamang, Kulendi, and Adibu-Asiedu at a private dinner with Mr. Sory—who is an active legal participant in the matter—destroys the integrity of the process and erodes public confidence,” the petition states.
Kumi further alleges that Justice Pwamang had previously ruled in favor of the same petitioner now represented by Mr. Sory, suggesting a prior relationship that may influence the proceedings. He also claims that all three justices—Pwamang, Adibu-Asiedu, and Kulendi—had at some point shown interest in ascending to the Chief Justice position, implying a possible motive for bias against Justice Torkornoo.
Describing the alleged conduct as “deplorable,” Mr. Kumi insists that the only way to safeguard the legitimacy of the investigation is to dissolve the committee and appoint new, impartial members.
“This process must not only be fair but must be seen to be fair. The current composition cannot meet that standard,” he concluded.
The five-member committee, announced by the Office of the President on April 22, 2025, was set up to investigate multiple petitions filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo.
