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Ghana Supreme Court dismisses injunction to halt vacation criminal trials
The Supreme Court of Ghana has dismissed an interlocutory injunction filed by Ofoase-Ayirebi Member of Parliament Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. The application sought to halt selected High Court criminal trials from proceeding during the ongoing legal vacation, which runs from August 1 to September 30, 2026.
Justice Gabriel Pwamang, sitting as a single judge, ruled that the applicant failed to establish sufficient grounds to suspend the administrative warrants issued by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie. These warrants authorize specific judges to hear criminal matters during the vacation period. The dismissal allows affected cases, including those involving former officials, to continue.
Oppong Nkrumah has challenged the constitutionality of these warrants in a separate substantive suit, arguing they promote selective justice and violate constitutional provisions regarding equality and the right to fair representation. Deputy Attorney-General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai criticized the injunction bid, alleging it was based on a “deliberate falsehood” regarding the number of judges sitting during the vacation. While the injunction was denied, the substantive constitutional case remains pending.
Entities
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie · Dr. Justice Srem-Sai · Frank Davies · Gabriel Pwamang · Kojo Oppong Nkrumah · Paul Baffoe-Bonnie · Supreme Court of Ghana
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Supreme Court has scheduled a ruling on the interlocutory injunction for August 21, 2026.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Continuing High Court trials during the legal vacation may undermine the constitutional rights of accused persons to fair representation. www.myjoyonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Established practice dictates that trials during legal vacation should only proceed when both lawyers and judges agree.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Chief Justice issued administrative warrants allowing selected High Court judges to continue criminal trials from August 1 to September 30. www.myjoyonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Attorney General should not represent the Chief Justice because it raises concerns regarding the constitutional principle of separation of powers. www.myjoyonline.com