Oppong Nkrumah sues Chief Justice over special criminal trials during legal vacation

Ofoase Ayirebi Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of administrative warrants issued by the Chief Justice, directing some High Court judges to hear selected criminal cases during the legal vacation.

The writ, filed on August 14, 2026, names Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as the first defendant, while Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dominic Ayine is the second defendant.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah is relying on the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction under Articles 2(1) and 130(1) of the 1992 Constitution. He is seeking a declaration that the warrants issued by the Chief Justice are unconstitutional and therefore invalid.

The MP argues that prioritising certain criminal cases for hearing during the legal vacation, which runs from August 1 to September 30, amounts to selective justice and violates the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law.

He clarified that his case does not challenge the Chief Justice’s constitutional role as head of the Judiciary or his authority to manage court operations and regulate sittings.

Rather, Mr Oppong Nkrumah argues that such administrative powers must be exercised within the limits of the Constitution and in a manner that is fair, reasonable, transparent and non-arbitrary.

According to his statement of case, the warrants effectively give priority to selected criminal matters while excluding other pending criminal cases from the special arrangements.

He contends that this creates an unfair distinction between criminal cases, accused persons and litigants who are otherwise similarly situated.

The MP is therefore asking the Supreme Court to determine whether the Chief Justice acted constitutionally in issuing the warrants directing selected High Court judges to conduct criminal trials during the legal vacation.

He is also seeking a declaration that the warrants covering the period from August 1 to September 30, 2026, are inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution and should consequently be declared null and void.