Chief Justice Concludes No Prima Facie Case Against Supreme Court Justice

The Chief Justice of Ghana, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has concluded that no prima facie case has been established in a petition filed by investigative journalist Edward Adeti seeking the removal of Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang. This conclusion brings the matter to a close, as confirmed by the Office of the President in a statement on November 10, 2026. The petition was filed on October 26, 2026, citing alleged misconduct by Justice Pwamang.

The petition alleged that Justice Pwamang, during a June 2023 visit to the palace of the Tongraan of Talensi, had accepted a bull as a gift from the traditional authority. This action was claimed to constitute a breach of the judicial code regarding the acceptance of gifts. The petition called for Justice Pwamang's recusal from a subsequent appeal involving subjects of the traditional authority and ultimately sought his removal from office.

In accordance with Article 146(3) of the Ghanaian Constitution, the Chief Justice conducted a preliminary inquiry into the petition. The constitutional threshold for initiating further proceedings was not met, as determined by the Chief Justice's inquiry. Consequently, the Presidency announced that no further action was required in respect of the petition, effectively closing the matter.

The Office of the President, through its Spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, issued a statement confirming the conclusion of the Chief Justice's inquiry. The statement assured the public that the matter had been handled in accordance with applicable constitutional procedures and the principles of due process. This ensured that the petition was addressed in a manner consistent with Ghana's legal framework.

The closure of this matter reflects the adherence to due process and constitutional procedures in Ghana. The Chief Justice's determination that no prima facie case was established against Justice Pwamang indicates that the allegations did not meet the required threshold for further investigation. This outcome underscores the importance of substantial evidence in petitions against judicial officers.

The petition against Justice Pwamang was filed through the Chief of Staff at the Jubilee House, Julius Debrah, on October 26, 2026. The allegations against him were related to his actions during a visit to the Tongraan of Talensi's palace. The judicial code's provisions on accepting gifts were central to the petition, highlighting the ethical standards expected of judicial officers in Ghana.

The conclusion of this case demonstrates the mechanisms in place for addressing concerns about judicial conduct in Ghana. It also highlights the critical role of the Chief Justice in preliminary inquiries into allegations against Supreme Court justices. By finding no prima facie case, the Chief Justice has ensured that only substantiated claims proceed to further investigation, maintaining the integrity of the judicial process.

Key points

• The Chief Justice found no prima facie case against Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.
• The petition was based on alleged misconduct involving the acceptance of a gift.
• The matter has been closed in accordance with constitutional procedures.