Npp Raises Selective Justice Concerns Under Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused Ghana’s judiciary of applying what it describes as a “two-speed” system of justice, citing the handling of cases involving members of the party.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 3 September 2026, the NPP said it had become increasingly concerned about what it described as the political conduct of Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and the administration of justice under his leadership.

The party said it had observed what it called “extraordinary alacrity” in the issuance of vacation warrants in some political cases involving NPP members.

It cited the incarceration of its Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, as an example.

The NPP alleged that justice was proceeding quickly in cases involving its opponents while taking longer when government allies were involved.

These are allegations made by the opposition party and were not independently established in its statement.

The NPP linked its concerns to the Chief Justice’s recent comments about the performance of state institutions under the current NDC administration.

During a visit to MIIF on Wednesday, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie praised the institution and questioned what Ghana had been doing over the previous eight years.

His remarks have since attracted criticism from some legal and civil society commentators.

Prof Stephen Kwaku Asare said the Chief Justice should avoid comments that could be interpreted as partisan political assessments.

He argued that the head of the Judiciary’s public statements carry institutional weight and could affect perceptions of judicial neutrality.

The NPP said the issue was particularly important because people associated with the previous government are facing cases under the Mahama administration’s Operation Recover All Loot programme.

The party questioned how an accused person could have confidence in judicial impartiality if the head of the Judiciary was seen as committed to the success of the Executive’s political agenda.

The NPP also criticised what it described as the Chief Justice’s frequent presence at events involving government appointees.

It argued that such appearances could create the perception of closeness between the Judiciary and the Executive and make it more difficult for the Chief Justice to be seen as a neutral arbiter in cases involving the government.

Beyond the political controversy, the NPP accused the Chief Justice of neglecting problems within the Judiciary itself.

The party said several courts and judicial offices were operating in poor conditions, while court registries were overwhelmed and staff were working under difficult conditions.

It claimed that the Chief Justice had focused more on monitoring government agencies than on addressing problems affecting justice delivery.

The NPP said the Judiciary should belong neither to the president nor to the NDC or NPP, but to the people of Ghana, and called for courts that were independent of partisan politics.

The party said it would organise a major press conference to provide further details of its concerns.

The Constitution establishes the Judiciary as independent and says it is subject only to the Constitution. Article 125 also makes the Chief Justice the head of the Judiciary and gives the office responsibility for its administration and supervision.

The latest controversy comes as other commentators have also questioned the Chief Justice’s public remarks.

Dr Steve Manteaw has urged him to stop commenting publicly on government performance, while Prof Asare has called for greater political restraint from the head of the Judiciary.

At the same time, Franklin Cudjoe has defended the Chief Justice’s right to comment, arguing that the key question is whether his assessment is supported by facts.