BREAKING: Petition for removal of Justice Pwamang dismissed

A petition seeking the removal of Supreme Court Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang from office has been dismissed after the Chief Justice determined that no prima facie case had been established to warrant further investigation.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Presidency Communications on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

According to the statement, the decision followed the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry by the Chief Justice into a petition submitted by one Edward Adeti against Justice Pwamang.

The Chief Justice determined that the petition did not establish a prima facie case to warrant further investigation, in accordance with Article 146(3) of the 1992 Constitution.

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 statement said.

The Presidency further assured the public that the matter had been handled in accordance with the applicable constitutional procedures and the principles of due process.

The statement was signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister for Government Communications and Spokesperson to the President.

The dismissal comes at a significant time for Justice Pwamang, who is among the judges being considered as a potential successor to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, whose retirement is expected in December 2026.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie is expected to retire on December 26, 2026, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70. Justice Pwamang, having served on the Supreme Court since June 2015, is the longest-serving among the leading contenders being mentioned in discussions about the next head of the Judiciary.

Under Article 144(6) of the 1992 Constitution, the most senior Supreme Court Justice will act as Chief Justice when the office becomes vacant. Justice Pwamang is therefore expected to assume the position of Acting Chief Justice following Justice Baffoe-Bonnie's retirement, pending the appointment of a substantive successor.

He has also been touted as a possible candidate for the substantive position, although the appointment is the prerogative of the President, in consultation with the Council of State and subject to parliamentary approval.

About the petition:

The petition, which was filed on October 26, 2026, alleged misconduct by the Supreme Court Justice in connection with a Judicial Council delegation's visit to the palace of the Paramount Chief of Talensi and a subsequent Supreme Court decision involving two traditional leaders from the area.

Adeti's complaint centred on an alleged offer of a bull to the Judicial Council delegation during the visit, at a time when the traditional authority reportedly had cases pending before the courts. He questioned whether Justice Pwamang's involvement in the visit and his subsequent role in presiding over an appeal involving two individuals convicted of contempt in connection with the traditional authority raised concerns about judicial impartiality and the acceptance of gifts.

The petitioner cited alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct for Judges and Magistrates, particularly provisions relating to the acceptance of gifts, the duty to recuse oneself where impartiality could reasonably be questioned, and the avoidance of impropriety.

He subsequently called for an investigation under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution and, if the allegations were established, the removal of Justice Pwamang from the Supreme Court.