The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a forceful condemnation of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, alleging a pattern of selective handling of criminal trials during the legal vacation period, characterizing the move as a significant threat to judicial independence and fairness. The accusation, detailed in a statement released on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, centers around the recent defense of warrants issued to two High Court judges, Justices Achibonga and Kocuvie-Tay, to conduct criminal trials during the vacation. The NPP contends that the Chief Justice’s actions constitute a deliberate undermining of judicial authority and impartiality.
In the statement, the party asserted that all currently sitting courts – 29 in total – are engaged in vacation court proceedings, with limited substantive trials. According to the NPP, the two judges were granted special authorization to conduct full criminal trials, requiring the physical presence of accused persons and their lawyers, a situation the party views as fundamentally problematic. Specifically, the NPP questioned why only the two courts had been authorized to proceed with these trials, arguing that this selective allocation of cases raises serious concerns.
The statement further alleges that cases involving serious offenses – murder, rape, narcotics, and armed robbery – are being adjourned until after the legal vacation, while cases involving NPP-linked individuals are handled during the period. The party expressed considerable frustration regarding the prioritization of these cases, questioning why the vacation courts are not typically involved in substantive trials and demanding a clarification on the Chief Justice’s rationale for this preferential treatment. The NPP contends that this selective urgency undermines the constitutional right of an accused person to legal representation, citing Article 19(2)(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees a right to a lawyer. The party also raised concerns over the Chief Justice’s appointment and confirmation by Parliament, alleging a partisan process that raises questions about judicial independence and neutrality. The NPP stated that the handling of the vacation trials has triggered significant concerns about judicial impartiality, urging the Chief Justice to demonstrate stringent adherence to fair-trial principles and transparency.
The Ghana Bar Association issued a formal notification to the Chief Justice on August 5, requesting a withdrawal of the warrants allowing the cases to proceed during the vacation, and a corresponding communication from the Ghana Bar Association to the Chief Justice on August 10, reminding him of the convention that vacation courts do not conduct substantive trials. The NPP further indicated that the Chief Justice has failed to provide a clear answer to their inquiry regarding the specific nature of the vacation court authorizations and the rationale behind this selective allocation of cases. The party emphasized that the situation poses a direct threat to judicial independence and calls for a thorough review of the proceedings. The NPP’s statement is part of a broader campaign to address perceived irregularities and concerns surrounding the Chief Justice’s actions, highlighting the political context and the potential impact on the judicial system. The party also noted that President Akufo-Addo has approved a shake-up at the National Security Council Secretariat and that the government is introducing digital portal for election results transmission. The NPP maintains that the handling of the vacation trials has fueled serious concerns regarding judicial neutrality and demands greater transparency and adherence to established fair-trial principles.
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Source: Adom Online
