Ghana High Court Adjourns Abronye DC's Bail Hearing After State Request

Ghana’s High Court has adjourned the bail application hearing of NPP official Kwame Baffoe, known as Abronye DC, after prosecutors requested more time to file a formal response to the motion.

ACCRA, Ghana —

A High Court in Accra has adjourned the bail application hearing of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, after prosecutors requested additional time to respond to the motion, extending the detention of the opposition New Patriotic Party’s Bono Regional Chairman. Abronye DC is facing charges including offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace and publication of false news under Ghana’s Criminal Code. The case has attracted significant political attention and renewed discussion over judicial discretion, bail rights and the application of criminal laws in politically sensitive cases.

The court grants the prosecution’s request for adjournment

During proceedings, state prosecutors requested a short adjournment to allow the Attorney-General’s office to file a formal response to the bail application. Lawyers representing Abronye opposed the request, arguing that prosecutors had already been served with the application several days earlier and had sufficient time to respond. According to court proceedings, the prosecution argued that additional consultation with investigators and review of the case were necessary before filing a formal response. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing and ordered that Abronye remain in Bureau of National Investigations custody pending the next sitting.

The defence raises constitutional concerns

Abronye’s legal team argued that continued detention was unnecessary and raised constitutional concerns relating to liberty and freedom of expression. Defence lawyers also told the court that Abronye had previously complied with police enquiry bail conditions and was not considered a flight risk.

However, prosecutors opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused allegedly committed the current offence while already on bail in a separate matter and could potentially commit further offences if released. In an earlier ruling referenced during proceedings, the court said it was satisfied there were reasonable grounds to believe the accused could reoffend if granted bail. Legal analysts note that Ghanaian courts retain broad discretion in bail decisions, particularly where prosecutors argue there is a risk of reoffending or interference with investigations.

Political reactions emerge over case handling

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin criticised the handling of the proceedings, describing the continued detention and movement of the hearing between court divisions as unfair. According to Afenyo-Markin, the application was initially assigned to Criminal Court 2 before later being redirected to another jurisdiction for hearing. The developments have prompted wider public discussion over judicial procedure, prosecutorial conduct and the balance between public order laws and constitutional protections in Ghana. Rights advocates and legal commentators have in recent years increasingly questioned how laws relating to false publication and breach of peace offences are applied in politically charged cases. At the same time, prosecutors and state authorities argue that public statements capable of inflaming tensions or spreading misinformation can pose risks to public order and national stability.

Court expected to resume hearing

The High Court is expected to resume hearing the bail application after prosecutors file their formal response to the motion. The case continues to draw close political and legal scrutiny because of Abronye DC’s profile within the opposition NPP and the wider debate surrounding political speech and criminal law enforcement in Ghana.

Sources: Graphic