A Ghanaian citizen has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama, calling for the removal of Supreme Court Judge, Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, over allegations of misconduct and conflict of interest in the ongoing ambulance procurement case involving Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
In the petition, the complainant alleged that Justice Kulendi breached judicial ethics by being linked to issues surrounding the prosecution of his cousin, despite not being part of the panel adjudicating the matter. The petitioner argued that this connection amounted to an appearance of conflict of interest.
The complaint further accused the Justice of improper interference in proceedings at the High Court during the Republic v. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others trial.
“This conduct violates several provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judges and Magistrates and has eroded public confidence in the judiciary’s integrity, impartiality and independence—principles upon which the justice system is founded,” the petition stated.
The petitioner maintained that the perception of divided loyalty by a sitting Supreme Court judge, especially in a case involving a close relative, risks undermining trust in the legal system.
To support the claims, several documents were attached, including the ruling of the High Court in Accra dated June 6, 2024, transcripts of cross-examination of businessman Richard Jakpa by state prosecutors, WhatsApp conversations between Jakpa and the former Attorney-General, as well as an affidavit filed by the Republic in the same case.
The petition, now before the Office of the President, will have to go through the process outlined in Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the removal of Superior Court judges.
