CJ C'ttee petition: Mahama has "serious problems to tackle", not "a 20-second restaurant encounter" – Ansa-Asare

Kwaku Ansa-Asare, former Director of the Ghana School of Law, has dismissed a petition. This petition sought to dissolve the committee investigating suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. He called the petition lacking merit and insisted that the judicial process should continue.

The situation escalated when a citizen filed a counter-petition on May 19. This petition was addressed to President John Dramani Mahama. It demanded the immediate dissolution of the committee. The petitioner claimed that some members violated judicial ethics. They specifically mentioned a meeting between Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu and Thaddeus Sory, who represents one of the petitioners.

This alleged meeting took place at a restaurant in Accra on May 15. This was also the day the committee began its hearings. After reviewing CCTV footage, Ansa-Asare found these claims unfounded.

In an interview with Joy News’ The Pulse, he stated:

"Requesting the president to dissolve this committee over a brief encounter is unreasonable." He added that it was just a 20-second meeting for a birthday celebration.

Ansa-Asare further analyzed the footage:

"This conversation lasted less than 20 seconds. There is doubt about what they discussed."

He dismissed allegations against Justice Pwamang as "frivolous," noting he wasn't present at the restaurant. Regarding Justice Adibu-Asiedu, he said: "Justice Asiedu was there, but their talk wasn’t about the ongoing petition."

He questioned what could be discussed in such a short time frame: "What can four people talk about in 20 seconds? It doesn’t meet any standard."

Ansa-Asare stressed that claims against judicial impartiality need solid evidence, not brief interactions.

"When assessing this case, we must consider facts and circumstances," he concluded.