Social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has said Circuit Court Judge Bright Acquah, on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, case is not fit to remain on the bench.
Vormawor highlighted that after reading the reasoning behind the Circuit Court Judge’s continued detention of Abronye, he sincerely believes he is not fit to remain on the bench as a judge.
The private legal practitioner is quoted by GHOne TV to have said, “After reading the reasoning of the Circuit Court Judge[Bright Acquah] on Abronye’s case, I sincerely and honestly believe he is not fit to remain on the bench”.
Vormawor’s remarks come after the Circuit Court Judge Bright Acquah explained that while the charges were misdemeanours, the remarks attributed to Abronye had national security and public order implications.
Judge Bright Acquah explained, “It is always said that all persons are equal, but in practice, it is not so. Courtesy George Orwell in his book Animal Farm, one of the commandments is that all men are equal, but some are more equal than others. Translated into this case, all men are equal, but some are more equal than others”.
According to the Judge, freedom of expression in Ghana must be exercised responsibly, warning that if unchecked, insults could pollute the society and undermine national security.
Judge Bright Acquah further defended his ruling by pointing to consistency in past cases under former President Akufo-Addo and President John Mahama.
He explained, “One of the codes of ethics for judges is that their decisions should be consistent. I have a case before me, The Republic v. Raphael Okai Ankrah, who appeared on May 16, 2023. He was an NDC sympathiser who openly insulted then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and was given a two-week remand.
Just about two or three weeks ago, another matter came before me, The Republic v. Emmanuel Kwakye, a journalist from Wontumi TV, and he was also remanded for two weeks. So, under two different regimes, the court has been consistent, and the court does not see why it should deviate from that consistency”.
The judge in the Abronye case argued that while criticism of policies is acceptable, direct insults against individuals in authority are not.
He cited Section 96(5)(a) and (c) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, asserting that bail could be refused if there is a likelihood of the accused repeating the offence or failing to appear in court.
Meanwhile, Martin Kpebu, a private legal practitioner, has condemned the continuous detention of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.
Mr Kpebu has called on the leadership of the NPP to appeal to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to withdraw the Abronye case.
According to Martin Kpebu, Abronye’s offence is just a small offence, and he should not stay in custody for one more week.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Martin Kpebu stated, “This is a small offence that somebody in the position of a regional chairman is not likely to abscond. It’s a small offence.
This is a case that if big people in NPP go to beg the IGP, this case can be withdrawn. Remember that just a few months ago, Christian Tetteh Yohuno was Deputy IGP during Akufo-Addo’s tenure”.
He added, “You can see that he has some rapport with the NPP. If the right calibre of seniors in NPP go to beg the IGP, this case can be withdrawn. He cannot refuse if they beg. This is not a serious case that he should stay in custody for one more week; we can’t allow that to happen in the country. We’re begging IGP Yohuno”.
Additionally, the Lawyer for Abronye DC, Enoch Afoakwa, has revealed his client is on a hunger strike in police custody.
Enoch Afoakwa stated that Abronye is committed to democratic principles and is using the hunger strike to make a point about his treatment.
Speaking after his client was remanded into custody again, Enoch Afoakwa stated, “Abronye is a man full of life. He knows that this is just mere political persecution, and certainly he is hopeful that his liberty will be restored”.
“Yes, he is pursuing what he is pursuing in furtherance of democracy. Certainly, [he is on a hunger strike],” the lawyer confirmed.
He further added, “Once you are being handled this way, will you trust that the same people handling you in a manner as if you have committed a treasonable offence—when they give you water, will you take it? When they give you food, will you take it? Certainly, he needs to protect his life, and under the circumstances, that is the reason he is on hunger strike,” he said.
See the post below:
After reading the reasoning of the Circuit Court Judge[Bright Acquah] on Abronye's case, I sincerely believe he is not fit to remain on the bench… – Oliver Barker-Vormawor#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/XwnHglCeKJ
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) September 12, 2025