A Ghanaian national, Daniel Marfo Ofori-Atta, has accused Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi of significant judicial misconduct, asserting that the judge interfered in the legal proceedings of the high-profile ambulance case involving the former Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
In a petition presented to President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Ofori-Atta claimed that Justice Kulendi breached his judicial oath by attempting to protect one of the defendants, businessman Richard Jakpa, from prosecution.
Ofori-Atta stated in an interview on Wednesday, October 1, that when the ambulance trial commenced in January 2023 and Jakpa faced difficulties in meeting bail requirements, Justice Kulendi personally approached then Attorney-General Godfred Dame, disclosing that Jakpa was his relative.
The judge allegedly urged Dame to either dismiss the charges or take actions that would ensure Jakpa’s release.
“The actions of Justice Kulendi, viewed in this context, clearly represent an abuse of the judicial process. He breached his judicial oath by interfering in legal proceedings before the court,” Ofori-Atta remarked.
However, the interference did not end there, according to the petitioner. He alleges that on four distinct occasions, Justice Kulendi invited the Attorney-General to his private home under the pretense of discussing a personal issue.
During these meetings, Kulendi again advocated for the dismissal of charges against Jakpa. In one instance, Ofori-Atta claims, Jakpa unexpectedly showed up at the residence—reportedly as part of a coordinated effort—further exerting pressure on the Attorney-General.
“These repeated actions constitute a clear pattern of collusion between Justice Kulendi and Richard Jakpa aimed at undermining legal proceedings and judicial integrity,” the petition asserts.
The petitioner has formally submitted a complaint to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), requesting a comprehensive criminal investigation into what he characterizes as an effort to obstruct justice. He asserts that the actions of Justice Kulendi and Jakpa may amount to criminal behavior under Ghanaian law, specifically referencing the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Ofori-Atta’s complaint to the CID is bolstered by trial transcripts from June 6, 18, 20, and 27, 2024, in addition to WhatsApp messages purportedly sent by Jakpa to Godfred Dame during the trial. He contends that these messages and documents expose a concerning trend of covert interference.
“This issue transcends mere ethics; it is fundamentally a legal matter,” Ofori-Atta asserts. “A Supreme Court judge is expected to uphold the highest standards. When that trust is compromised, public faith in the justice system is jeopardized.”
The petition demands the removal of Justice Kulendi from the bench and calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
To date, neither Justice Kulendi nor Richard Jakpa has publicly addressed the accusations. Additionally, the Presidency and CID have not released any official statements.
