By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A Ghanaian citizen has petitioned the President of Ghana. Mr. John Dramani Mahama, to remove Supreme Court Justice, His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, over allegations of misconduct and conflict of interest in the high-profile ambulance procurement case involving Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the current finance minister.
The petitioner accused Justice Kulendi of compromising judicial ethics by being involved in matters connected to the prosecution of his cousin, despite not directly adjudicating the case.
The complainant accused Justice Kulendi of improper interference in proceedings at the High Court in the then ambulance scandal case, Republic v. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others.
“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, which are principles upon which the justice system is founded.”
The petitioner argued that the appearance of divided loyalty by a Supreme Court judge, particularly in a case involving his blood relative, threatens the legitimacy of the entire legal system.
The petitioner further attached several documents in support of his claims, including:
The ruling of the High Court, Accra, dated June 6, 2024, the cross-examination of Richard Jakpa by the Republic in Republic v. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others, evidence of WhatsApp conversations between Richard Jakpa and the former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, and the affidavit filed by the Republic in Republic v. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others.
