Chief Justice

Also known as: Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie · His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie · Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo · Torkornoo · former Chief Justice of Ghana · Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie · Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie · Paul Baffoe-Bonni · Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonni · His Lordship the Chief Justice · Paul Baffoe-Bonney · Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonney · Baffoe Bonnie · Justice Baffoe Bonnie · Chief Justice Baffoe Bonnie · His Lordship Baffoe Bonnie

2026-04-262026-10-07

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
1 MayJoy Online
… President Mahama further expressed appreciation to the judiciary for ongoing reforms aimed at improving justice delivery, particularly the establishment of additional High Courts by the Chief Justice to reduce case backlog and improve access to justice. …
Parliament to approve new asset declaration regime – Mahama
1 MayJoy Online
… A key highlight of his address was the government’s decision to activate prosecutions against individuals named in the Auditor-General’s reports, beginning this year. “I want to thank the Chief Justice and the judiciary for setting up the newly created additional high courts. …
From this year, persons indicted in A-G’s report will be prosecuted – Mahama
April 2026
26 AprJoy Online
… On 23rd April 2026, another High Court judge noted the need for consistency and adjourned the current interlocutory application pending a directive from the Chief Justice on whether the case should be consolidated before a single court. …
Sesi-Edem lawyers debunk claims of expired injunction against EOCO

Politics

Nurse's lawyer appeals High Court bail refusal, seeks CJ intervention

The News

The defence lawyer for nurse Salomey Awiti Baffoe, charged with abetting publication of false news in the "Ghana Jollof" saga, has announced plans to appeal the High Court's decision to deny bail and will petition the Chief Justice to allow the Court of Appeal to hear the matter. The High Court held that Ms Baffoe posed a risk of witness interference in the cyber-related investigation, though her defence argues that investigations concerning her have been completed and remaining probes target third parties involved in video redistribution.

24 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 24 September

Nurse's lawyer appeals High Court bail refusal, seeks CJ intervention
The defence lawyer for nurse Salomey Awiti Baffoe, charged with abetting publication of false news in the "Ghana Jollof" saga, has announced plans to appeal the High Court's decision to deny bail and will petition the Chief Justice to allow the Court of Appeal to hear the matter. The High Court held that Ms Baffoe posed a risk of witness interference in the cyber-related investigation, though her defence argues that investigations concerning her have been completed and remaining probes target third parties involved in video redistribution.
24 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 23 September

Chief Justice should review arrests on court premises, Afenyo-Markin says
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has called on the Chief Justice to examine the practice of law enforcement agencies attempting to arrest suspects on court premises, citing an alleged incident involving Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah who was pursued by EOCO officers after appearing at the Accra High Court.
23 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Minority accuses EOCO of power abuse over MP arrest attempt
The Minority in Parliament has accused the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) of abusing its powers after EOCO officials allegedly attempted to arrest Manhyia South MP Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at court premises immediately after he had represented a client in court. The Minority Caucus questioned whether investigative agencies have authority to enter court premises with intention to arrest suspects and called on the Chief Justice to examine the circumstances.
23 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 18 September

NPP questions court remand of nurse over false news charge
The opposition NPP has raised concerns over the continued detention of Techiman-based nurse Salomey Awiti Bafoh, who was remanded by the Adenta Circuit Court for allegedly aiding in the publication and circulation of false news on social media. The party is questioning the basis for the court's decision to remand her for two additional weeks and to prosecute her before the Adenta Circuit Court.
18 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Friday 11 September

Over 100 district courts operating without magistrates nationwide
More than 100 District Courts across Ghana's 16 regions are reportedly operating without magistrates, causing prolonged delays in case hearings. A judge disclosed that some affected courts have gone more than eight months without regular sittings, while 134 applicants shortlisted for magistrate appointments await presidential approval since June 2026.
11 September 2026 · Daily Guide →

Monday 7 September

Elizabeth Ohene disputes Chief Justice's SSNIT remarks
Former SSNIT Board Chairperson Elizabeth Ohene responds to a Chief Justice video in which he praised SSNIT's current condition and questioned what happened during the preceding eight years, arguing that the current management is also seeking strategic investors for hotels and that the institution's turnaround was not as miraculous as portrayed.
7 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Saturday 5 September

Chief Justice clarifies SOE remarks were made in good faith
Chief Justice Baffoe Bonnie said his recent comments on state-owned enterprises' performance were made in good faith and not intended to undermine judicial independence, according to a press release from the Judicial Secretary.
5 September 2026 · The Chronicle →

Thursday 3 September

People's Forum urges Chief Justice to maintain Judiciary independence
The People's Forum has written to Chief Justice Paul Kwadwo Baffoe-Bonnie expressing concern that his public and social proximity to executive officials and NDC party members could undermine public confidence in the Judiciary's independence and neutrality, arguing that the courts must not only be independent but be perceived as such.
3 September 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Chief Justice's praise of state institutions draws NPP neutrality concerns
The NPP has questioned the Chief Justice's neutrality after he praised the performance of MIIF and SSNIT during recent visits, remarking that developments he witnessed made him wonder what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years. The party views his comments as concerning to his impartiality.
3 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP accuses judiciary of biased justice against political opponents
The New Patriotic Party has accused Ghana's justice system of operating at "two speeds," with legal processes moving rapidly in cases involving government opponents while proceeding slowly for government allies, claiming this reflects coordination between the Judiciary and Executive to target political opponents.
3 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP criticises Chief Justice over court infrastructure neglect
The New Patriotic Party has accused the Chief Justice of neglecting Ghana's deteriorating court infrastructure—including dilapidated courtrooms, overwhelmed registries, and poor working conditions—while instead focusing on monitoring the activities of the Executive.
3 September 2026 · Joy Online →
NPP demands Chief Justice resign over alleged partisan comments
The NPP has called for the Chief Justice's immediate resignation, alleging he made partisan political comments during a visit to state institutions, praising their performance and questioning Ghana's progress over the previous eight years.
3 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 1 September

Supreme Court nominee: AI will only replace lazy lawyers
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, a Supreme Court judge nominee, told Parliament's Appointments Committee that AI is unlikely to replace diligent lawyers but could render lazy lawyers redundant. He advocated integrating AI into Ghana's judicial system to improve efficiency, strengthen legal research, and expedite case determination, citing experience with AI adoption at the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
1 September 2026 · Daily Guide →
Kpebu's petition against Special Prosecutor stalled by political settlement
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu says his petition against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng has been put on ice following a political settlement, though it remains before the Chief Justice. He claims the petition contains substantial evidence but has stalled due to what he describes as political intervention.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →
Kpebu threatens to publish petition if case dismissed
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has vowed to publish the full contents of his petition against Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng if the case is dismissed. Kpebu says the petition, which was forwarded to the Chief Justice, remains pending due to what he describes as a political settlement.
1 September 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 27 August

ICT and afternoon sittings can reduce case backlog, nominee says
Supreme Court nominee Anthony Forson Jnr told Parliament's Appointments Committee that greater use of information and communication technology and afternoon court sittings could help the judiciary reduce its backlog of cases. He cited his experience digitising Ghana Bar Association operations as evidence that technology can improve judicial efficiency.
27 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 24 August

Judge warns lawyers against public attacks on judicial decisions
The Presiding Judge of Adenta Circuit Court 1 has cautioned lawyers to use legal appeals and proper procedures rather than public attacks or insults when challenging court rulings. She noted that the Ghana Bar Association could take disciplinary action against such conduct and cited her own experience of receiving threats over judicial decisions.
24 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 21 August

Supreme Court ruling on vacation court warrants sparks legal debate
A Supreme Court judgment by Justice Gabriel Pwamang on an injunction application against the Chief Justice's vacation court has prompted critique over its treatment of lawyers' working conditions and judicial discretion. The ruling emphasizes public interest and the constitutional right to expeditious trial, but critics argue it overlooks practical realities of litigation practice.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Supreme Court dismisses Oppong Nkrumah injunction to halt trials
The Supreme Court dismissed Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong Nkrumah's application to stop selected criminal trials during the legal vacation (August–September). Oppong Nkrumah has signalled his legal team will study the ruling before deciding whether to seek a review, noting the judge acknowledged differential treatment of some cases but found it did not violate constitutional provisions.
21 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Wednesday 19 August

Ghana School of Law SRC seeks relief for referred students
The President-elect of the Ghana School of Law Students' Representative Council has petitioned the Independent Examinations Committee for a one-time transitional dispensation allowing Part I students who fail more than two subjects to rewrite rather than repeat the year, citing exceptional circumstances from the introduction of a new legal education regime that discontinues the existing PLC programme.
19 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Tuesday 18 August

Deputy AG criticises GBA's legal vacation court interpretation
Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has rejected the Ghana Bar Association's position on legal vacation, calling the interpretation "bizarre" and "not workable." He argued that vacation judges are entitled to their own vacation time after working during the August–September court closure and can hear substantive cases from their own courts, not only motions and urgent matters.
18 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Monday 17 August

Deputy AG defends NDC speedy trials push as constitutional duty
Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has defended the government's push for speedy trials, arguing that the NDC's position aligns with constitutional requirements that accused persons have cases determined without undue delay. He rejected claims that the government was manipulating the legal vacation to secure favourable outcomes in cases involving former government officials.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy AG defends speedy trials amid justice manipulation allegations
Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai has challenged critics who claim the government's pursuit of quick trials manipulates justice for partisan ends, arguing that speed alone does not pervert justice. He defended the use of vacation judges to hear cases during legal vacation, saying they are entitled to handle urgent matters while on break.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Deputy AG rejects bar association stance on vacation court trials
Deputy Attorney General Dr Justice Srem-Sai has rejected claims that criminal trials should not be conducted during the legal vacation without lawyers' consent, arguing that allowing lawyers to determine when cases are heard would undermine the judiciary's purpose. He disputed the Ghana Bar Association's interpretation as unworkable, saying it would leave vacation judges unable to hear cases for months.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Adu-Boahene trial adjourned pending Supreme Court injunction decision
The Accra High Court has adjourned the trial of former NSB Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene and his wife to August 25, pending the Supreme Court's determination of an injunction application that seeks to restrain the High Court from hearing the case during legal vacation.
17 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Friday 14 August

MP challenges Chief Justice directive on judges' legal vacation work
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, MP for Ofoase Ayirebi, has filed a writ at the Supreme Court challenging the Chief Justice's decision to allow judges to hear selected criminal cases during legal vacation, arguing it violates constitutional provisions on equality, fairness, and workers' rights, and constitutes selective justice.
14 August 2026 · The Ghanaian Times →
Prof Asare questions constitutional basis of Oppong Nkrumah's legal vacation lawsuit
Professor Kwaku Asare has challenged whether the Chief Justice's decision to allow selected criminal trials during the legal vacation violates constitutional rights, as claimed by former Education Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah in a Supreme Court suit. Asare questioned what aspect of directing judges to continue hearing criminal cases could constitute unfair, unreasonable, arbitrary or biased conduct under the Constitution.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →
Lawyer challenges Chief Justice's criminal trial orders during legal vacation
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has filed suit in the Supreme Court challenging the Chief Justice's warrants directing selected judges to conduct criminal trials during the legal vacation, arguing the orders are unconstitutional and amount to selective justice that violates the health and rights of judges and lawyers.
14 August 2026 · Joy Online →

Thursday 13 August

Order 79 grants Chief Justice power to schedule trials during vacation
Under the High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004, Order 79 Rule 1(1) vests in the Chief Justice the power to appoint any day, including vacation days, for hearing cases "as circumstances require," making vacation periods not inherently unsuitable for trials.
13 August 2026 · Joy Online →
GBA President's claims on vacation courts lack legal support
An opinion piece contests the Ghana Bar Association President's claims in an August 10, 2026 letter to the Chief Justice that vacation judges do not conduct trials and that counsel control whether to appear before vacation courts. The writer argues neither claim is supported by law, rules, practice, or reason.
13 August 2026 · Daily Guide →