Private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has called on the government and the judiciary to ensure the immediate release on bail of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, who is currently in police custody.
According to him, the nation cannot allow this kind of treatment to continue. He urged the police to concentrate on the merits of the case they have and allow the trial to proceed, “But don’t use communist inferior tactics,” he said.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, Kpebu described Abronye’s detention as unnecessary and unconstitutional, stressing that bail should never be used as punishment.
He reminded authorities that under Ghana’s laws, personal liberties must be respected. He emphasised that even in cases involving serious offences, the Supreme Court has struck down provisions that prohibited bail.
“I am not for one moment supporting the despicable statements Abronye made. But it is not our law that bail be used as punishment. If he is guilty, he will take the punishment at trial. The law is clear – don’t use bail as punishment,” he argued.
The lawyer also dismissed suggestions that Abronye must remain in custody until the next working day, stressing that the courts are empowered to sit on weekends and holidays.
“The Supreme Court has held that Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and even on public holidays, the court can sit. If the right processes are filed, a judge can sit even today to grant bail,” Kpebu explained.
He urged the Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, to intervene immediately in the matter to protect Ghana’s justice system from political interference so that by Monday, Abronye will be out.
Kpebu also cautioned the police against using overzealous tactics to please political masters, describing it as a dangerous trend that undermines democracy and the rule of law.
“This thing about the police trying to please the president or the IGP is long gone. If we don’t speak up, it will grow worse,” he warned.
Abronye was arrested earlier in the week following comments deemed offensive against high-profile individuals, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and President John Mahama. He has since been remanded into custody, sparking debates on personal liberties, political accountability, and judicial discretion.