Alfred Ababbio Kumi a known NPP member who petitioned President John Mahama to dissolve the committee probing the removal of the Chief Justice has been charged with publication of fake news following his arrest by NIB.
Clement Opoku Gyamfi, legal counsel for Alfred Ababio Kumi stated, “He’s been charged with false publication in relation to an interview he granted on a traditional media and then something he posted on his X account and then a petition he wrote to the President. These three”.
“They cautioned and then they charged him, so as far as the process is concerned, we are almost through because once there is an interrogation, you are cautioned first and then they press charges against you. Technically, I’m sure the next should either be in courts but we’ve put in a bail application,” he added.
It will be recalled Alfred Ababio Kumi, a Ghanaian citizen petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to immediately dissolve the committee probing suspended Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
According to the petitioner, the members of the committee undermine the integrity and credibility of the ongoing inquiry.
Alfred Ababio Kumi in his petition alleged that a meeting between two committee members Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Adibu-Asiedu and Thaddeus Sory, counsel for one of the petitioners in the matter.
According to him, the meeting occurred on 15 May at Santoku Restaurant with Supreme Court Justice, Yonni Kulendi also in attendance.
Mr. Kumi claimed the individuals were reportedly overheard discussing matters relating to the petition.
The petition stated, “The meeting between Justices Pwamang, Kulendi and Asiedu with Thaddeus Sory clearly has destroyed the integrity of the process and reduced public confidence in the process so far”.
“Justice Pwamang is known to be interested in becoming the Chief Justice following your election as President… Justice Samuel Kwame Adibu-Asiedu is also on record to have actively lobbied to be the Chief Justice after the exit of Justice Anin Yeboah,” Kumi stated.
Alfred Ababio Kumi called the entire process a potential sham and called on President Mahama to act to safeguard the credibility of the constitutional process.
However, Thaddeus Sory in a Facebook post boldly stated that there was no such meeting and that it is very easy to fact-check it.
In a post on X, he wrote, “It is a monstrous lie. No such meeting took place. It is very easy to fact check that. We know those who get justice through negotiation”.
A video has surfaced of the claimed meeting between Thaddeus Sory, a legal representative for one of the petitioners and one Justice in the Chief Justice probe.
In the alleged video claiming the lawyer and the Justice were discussing the Chief Justice case, Thaddeus Sory was seated with Kotei Dzani, a former Council of State member, talking and eating together at a table.
Unaware of the presence of one of the judges in the petition until his attention was drawn to it.
Justice Asiedu also passed without even noticing the presence of Thaddeus Sory in the restaurant until Justice Kulendi alerted him.
After a short conversation, they each continued with their separate business with no such meeting to discuss the petition taking place.
The video clearly shows the committee chair Justice Pwamang was not at the restaurant as claimed by the petitioner.
