The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticised Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie for issuing special warrants allowing two High Court judges to conduct full criminal trials during the legal vacation, describing the move as selective, partisan and a threat to judicial independence.
In a statement dated August 11, 2026, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party said it was “deeply troubled” by the Chief Justice’s public defence of the warrants granted to Justices Achibonga and Kocuvie-Tay. It noted that every affected case involves prosecutions of persons associated with the NPP.
The NPP highlighted that 29 courts are currently operating as vacation courts across the country. Under settled practice, these courts handle only motions and urgent interlocutory applications, usually virtually, and do not entertain substantive trials or even case management conferences. Yet only two courts have been singled out and given special warrants to conduct full criminal trials requiring the physical presence of accused persons and counsel.
“The Chief Justice has failed to answer one simple question. Why only these two courts, and why only these cases?” the statement asked. It pointed out that trials involving murder, rape, narcotics, armed robbery and other serious felonies remain adjourned until the vacation ends. “If the vacation can pause the trial of a murder suspect, why can it not pause the trial of political opponents of the Government?” the party said, arguing that the selective urgency points to an agenda of incarcerating NPP personalities rather than the pursuit of justice. It drew a parallel with what it called the “indecent haste” in the trial and conviction of Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Wontumi).
The statement recalled that on 5 August 2026, counsel for the accused persons — including Zoe, Akyea & Co. and Dame & Partners — wrote to the Chief Justice notifying him of their unavailability during the vacation and requesting withdrawal of the warrants.
On 10 August, the Ghana Bar Association also wrote, reminding him that vacation courts do not conduct trials, especially where counsel have given notice of unavailability, and that a court cannot fairly proceed in the absence of counsel. Despite these public petitions, the warrants remain in force, and the Chief Justice has publicly defended the decision.
The NPP linked today’s courtroom developments directly to the warrants. One of the vacation trial judges, knowing defence counsel had given notice of unavailability, adjourned a matter for less than a week and issued an ultimatum: the accused must find a new lawyer within days or personally conduct the cross-examination of a prosecution witness, failing which the witness would be permanently discharged.
The judge indicated he would continue sitting until the Chief Justice revokes the warrant.
Citing Article 19(2)(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person’s right to counsel of their own choosing, the party described the ultimatum as “the strangulation of the fair trial rights of a citizen” rather than legitimate case management.
The statement also referenced the circumstances of the Chief Justice’s appointment, noting that his elevation followed the contested removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo — which the NPP maintains was politically motivated and remains in litigation — and that his confirmation was pushed through despite a Minority walkout in Parliament. While the party said it had expected strict independence, it accused the Chief Justice of facilitating selective trials “in apparent concert with the Attorney-General’s agenda against NPP personalities.”
“The Judiciary must never become an annex of the Office of the Attorney-General,” the NPP declared. Invoking Article 125(1) of the Constitution, which states that justice emanates from the people, the party warned that those exercising judicial power will be held to account, and that retirement confers no immunity from historical or legal judgment.
The NPP called on the Chief Justice to:
- Immediately withdraw the warrants for vacation trials so the affected cases resume with the rest when the legal term reopens;
- Heed the Ghana Bar Association’s petition and restore the settled practice for vacation courts;
- Ensure that today’s ultimatum to the accused is rescinded, as no person should be compelled to stand trial without counsel of their choice; and
- Stop publicly defending decisions that are the subject of legitimate professional protest, allowing his conduct to be judged solely by its fidelity to the Constitution.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and equality before the law, pledging to resist by every lawful means what it described as the weaponisation of the courts against its members and any Ghanaian.
