The Chief Justice has determined that no prima facie case has been established to warrant further investigation into a petition brought against Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang.
The Presidency announced the decision in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP.
What the statement says
“Following the conclusion of the Chief Justice’s preliminary inquiry into the petition submitted by Mr Edward Adeti against Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, the Chief Justice has determined that no prima facie case has been established to warrant further investigation, in accordance with Article 146(3) of the Constitution,” the statement said.
“Consequently, the constitutional threshold for initiating further proceedings has not been met, and no further action is required in respect of the petition. The matter is accordingly considered closed.”
“The Office of the President wishes to assure the public that the matter has been handled in accordance with the applicable constitutional procedures and the principles of due process.”
Background to the petition
Investigative journalist Edward Adeti had petitioned President John Dramani Mahama for the removal of Justice Pwamang as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
The five-page petition was filed through the Chief of Staff at the Jubilee House, Julius Debrah, on 26th October, 2026, under Article 146, which allows judges to be removed for stated misbehaviour.
The petition centered on events dating back to 2023 in the Upper East Region
It related to a contempt conviction at the Bolgatanga High Court 2 on 10th March 2023, involving the Divisional Chief of Baare, Naab Nyakora Mantii, and Richard Sunday Yinbil, Secretary to the Paramount Chief of Talensi, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang.
Adeti alleged that Justice Pwamang, who led a Judicial Council delegation to the Tongraan’s palace at Tongo on 26th June 2023, was involved in handling a gift—a bull—allegedly presented during the visit, and later chaired a Supreme Court panel on 7th July 2026 that quashed the contempt conviction.
Justice Pwamang had previously said the bull was offered publicly to the delegation and not to him personally.
The petition had asked the President to consider suspending Justice Pwamang pending determination of the petition, in accordance with Article 146(10), and to remove him if the allegations were proved.
Procedure under Article 146
Under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution, when a petition is received to remove a Justice of the Superior Court, the President acts in consultation with the Council of State and refers the matter to the Chief Justice for a preliminary inquiry into whether a prima facie case has been established.
Only if a prima facie case is found is a committee constituted to inquire further into the petition.
In this case, the Chief Justice’s preliminary inquiry found that threshold was not met.
Why it matters
Justice Pwamang, appointed to the Supreme Court in June 2015, is the longest-serving Justice on the apex court and is among those being discussed in public debate as a possible successor to Chief Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie, who retires on 26 December 2026 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Justice Pwamang previously chaired the five-member Article 146 committee that investigated petitions seeking the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, which led to her removal in September 2025.
With Tuesday’s decision, the petition against him is now considered closed, with no further action required.
