The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has voiced strong dissatisfaction over the handling of a bail application for its Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, also known as Abronye. The party claims the case's transfer from Criminal Court Two to General Jurisdiction Two was “mind-boggling” and a deliberate move to delay the proceedings. Abronye is currently in BNI custody following allegations of spreading false news.
NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that the party was surprised by the sudden reassignment. He explained that their lawyer, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, informed them the case docket had been moved at the last minute. The party believed the case was already assigned to Criminal Court Two. Kodua Frimpong labelled these events “judicial gymnastics” meant to obstruct the bail application. He questioned how a digitally assigned case could be manually reassigned by a registrar due to alleged administrative error.
This development occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions in Ghana. Historically, such procedural disputes can fuel public distrust in the fairness of the justice system. Previous instances have shown that contested legal processes, especially for prominent political figures, have led to public debate and sometimes protests. The NPP’s concerns add to ongoing discussions about the rule of law and political impartiality in the country.
“Unfortunately, they didn't bring Chairman Abronye to the court. And we are very worried as to his current health status because we didn't see him; we came to the court, and we didn't see him,” Mr. Kodua Frimpong said. He expressed concern about Abronye’s health, as they were unable to see him in court. NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed urged caution from all parties involved. He stated that such developments could undermine Ghana's peace and democratic stability and did not reflect the democratic principles the NPP champions.
The NPP’s legal team proceeded to the General Jurisdiction Court to comply with due process. The court directed both parties to study the case before adjourning. Mohammed criticised perceived inconsistencies in law enforcement actions. He alleged that directives are issued in cases involving NPP members, but similar actions are not taken against members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). He also accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of acting aggressively in past arrests of NPP members, sometimes without court orders. These claims raise questions about the equal application of the law and fairness in politically sensitive cases. The NPP remains committed to pursuing justice for Abronye through the courts.