The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie of selectively authorising criminal trials during the legal vacation, alleging that the move disproportionately targets individuals associated with the opposition party.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, and signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party criticised the Chief Justice’s recent public defence of warrants issued to High Court Justices Achibonga and Kocuvie-Tay to conduct full criminal trials during the legal vacation.
The NPP described the decision as “legally unreasonable” and alleged that it raises concerns about the independence and impartiality of the Judiciary.
According to the party, 29 courts are currently sitting as vacation courts, but their work is traditionally restricted to motions and urgent interlocutory applications rather than substantive criminal trials.
The NPP cited the General Jurisdiction 2 court at the Law Court Complex, which it said is handling matters from General Jurisdiction courts 1 to 7, as well as vacation arrangements in Tamale and Goaso.
The party questioned why only two courts had been authorised to conduct full criminal trials involving the physical appearance of accused persons and lawyers.
“The Chief Justice has failed to answer one simple question. Why only these two courts, and why only these cases?” the statement asked.
The party said defense lawyers had formally informed the Chief Justice of their unavailability during the legal vacation and requested that the warrants be withdrawn.
It said lawyers from Zoe, Akyea & Co. and Dame & Partners wrote to the Chief Justice on August 5, while the Ghana Bar Association reportedly followed with a letter on August 10 raising concerns about the conduct of trials during the vacation.
The NPP argued that proceeding with substantive trials when defense counsel had indicated that they were unavailable could undermine the constitutional right of accused persons to legal representation.
The party also referred to proceedings involving one of the vacation trial judges, alleging that the judge gave an accused person a short deadline to secure new legal representation or conduct the cross-examination of a prosecution witness personally.
According to the NPP, the judge indicated that the trial would continue until the Chief Justice withdrew the warrant.
The party cited Article 19(2)(f) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees an accused person the right to defend themselves through a lawyer of their choice.
The NPP also raised broader concerns about the circumstances surrounding Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s appointment as Chief Justice, linking his elevation to the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
The party maintained that the process was politically contested and said it had nevertheless expected the Chief Justice to exercise his responsibilities independently.
The NPP alleged that the current arrangements appeared to align with the Attorney-General’s efforts to prosecute persons associated with the opposition party.
“The Judiciary must never become an annex of the Office of the Attorney-General,” the statement said.
The party further invoked Article 125(1) of the Constitution, which provides that judicial power is vested in the Judiciary and that justice emanates from the people.
The NPP is therefore demanding the immediate withdrawal of the warrants authorising the vacation trials and wants the affected cases to resume when the regular legal term begins.
The party also called for the alleged ultimatum issued to the accused person to be rescinded and urged the Chief Justice to take into account the concerns raised by the Ghana Bar Association.
The NPP said it remains committed to the rule of law, judicial independence and equality before the law, but warned that it would oppose what it described as the “weaponisation” of the courts against its members and other Ghanaians.
