Tensions are escalating in the political and judicial circles following the dramatic arrest of Alfred Ababio Kumi, a former parliamentary aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Adenta Constituency, who recently filed a petition questioning the integrity of the ongoing impeachment inquiry into Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

Kumi, popularly known as “Adenta Kumi,” was picked up in the early hours of Friday by eight armed individuals suspected to be operatives of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), in what witnesses and family members have described as a “Rambo-style” operation.

Arrest Sparks Outrage and Raises Eyebrows

According to his mother, Nana Ama Owusu, who witnessed the incident, the NIB operatives stormed their shared residence around 5:30 a.m. while Kumi was taking his bath.

She recounted that the officials, all armed, broke down his door when he requested time to dress, and presented a document they claimed was a warrant — though she was not allowed to verify it.

“They said they only wanted to talk to him. But they broke down the door and took him away without allowing him to finish bathing. I haven’t heard from him since,” she told Asaase Radio in an emotional interview.

The former aspirant’s arrest comes only four days after he submitted a formal petition to President John Mahama, urging him to dissolve the five-member Pwamang Committee investigating Chief Justice Torkornoo.

Kumi’s concern stemmed from an alleged breach of judicial ethics.

Allegations of Judicial Impropriety

In his petition, Kumi alleged that Justices Gabriel Pwamang and Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu — both members of the inquiry committee — were seen dining with Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi and Thaddeus Sory, legal counsel for petitioner Daniel Ofori, at the upscale Santoku Restaurant in Accra on May 15, 2025, shortly after the committee’s inaugural hearing.

According to Kumi, the group was reportedly overheard discussing matters relating to the ongoing impeachment inquiry.

He cited the incident as a potential conflict of interest and grounds for disbanding the committee to preserve public confidence in the judiciary.

National Security Accused of Intimidation

The arrest has generated sharp responses from within the NPP, with party officials accusing state security of intimidation and political persecution.

The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Frimpong Kodua, took to social media, calling on party members to rally behind Kumi.

“All patriots should rush to Adenta Kumi’s house. Over 20 CID and National Security officers are there to pick him up,” Kodua posted.

MP for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, also confirmed the arrest via Facebook, stating that the operatives took Kumi from his residence shortly before 6 a.m.

Political and Legal Ramifications

The incident underscores growing tension between the opposition NPP and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration over judicial independence and transparency.
It also raises serious concerns about due process and the use of state security to silence dissent.

Legal experts and civil society groups have begun calling for the NIB to explain the grounds for Kumi’s arrest and ensure his rights are protected.

So far, the NIB has not released an official statement, and Kumi’s whereabouts remain undisclosed at the time of reporting.

Background: The Impeachment Inquiry

The Pwamang Committee was established to investigate allegations against Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, including accusations of misconduct and administrative overreach.

The inquiry, launched earlier this month, is being conducted behind closed doors — a decision that has already drawn criticism from sections of the public and legal community.

Now, with new allegations of secret meetings and a dramatic arrest at its heart, the inquiry threatens to unravel into a broader constitutional crisis.