Ghana’s judiciary saw unprecedented activities in the history of the country in the 2025.
The country was once again thrust into the national spotlight, as judges presided over cases that tested the rule of law, challenged state institutions, and stirred public debate.
From high-profile criminal trials to politically sensitive prosecutions and illegal mining cases, the judiciary remained at the centre of accountability in 2025.
President Mahama’s administration promised to fight corruption head-on by ensuring that, for starters, former government appointees who had misused public funds are prosecuted and the proceeds recovered.
This was however preceded with discontinuing some sensitive cases against some National Democratic Congress stalwarts.
Government spokesperson and Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, explained that the discontinued cases were politically motivated and lacked merit.
Among them was the withdrawal of charges against the former Deputy Governor, now Governor, of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Johnson Asiamah, who had been accused over his role in the collapse of some banks.
Former COCOBOD Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen Opuni, and businessman Seidu Agongo were acquitted and discharged after the state withdrew charges relating to an alleged GH¢271 million financial loss in a fertilizer supply deal. The case had dragged on for several years.
The prosecution of former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour and seven others over the collapse of UniBank was also discontinued after the state reportedly recovered more than 60 percent of the alleged lost funds.
Former Minister for Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda, was discharged after the Attorney-General entered a nolle prosequi in the Saglemi Housing Project case, which involved allegations of causing financial loss to the state.
In the ambulance procurement case, the state withdrew its appeal against the acquittal and discharge of Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and businessman Richard Jakpa.
Charges were also withdrawn against former Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Director-General, Dr. Ernest Thompson, and three others who had been accused of financial mismanagement.
NDC National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, was discharged in a case involving an alleged leaked audio discussing political violence.
Other cases dropped included the prosecution of activists charged under the Akufo-Addo administration following protests against illegal mining (galamsey). Those affected included prominent activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor and social media influencer Elorm Ama Governor-Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor.
In addition, six years after the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale, the Madina District Court discharged the lead suspect after the Attorney-General advised police to discontinue the case, leaving the family without closure.
Similarly, after a decade-long trial, Gregory Afoko, accused of murdering former NPP Upper East Regional Chairman Adams Mahama, was discharged by the Accra High Court. His co-accused, Asabke Alangdi, who had been convicted in May 2015, was also discharged.
Here are some of the biggest court cases of 2025;
Kwabena Adu-Boahene trial
In April, a former director of the National Signals Bureau, Kwabena Adu-Boahene, his spouse, Angela Adjei Boateng and two others were hauled before the Accra High Court over charges of causing financial loss to the state, money laundering among others over alleged misappropriation of GHc49.1M Cybersecurity Defense software.
Sky Train trial
In the sky train case, a former board chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund, Prof Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi together with the ex-chief executive are on trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state in the failed $2m Accra Sky Train project. trial is ongoing.
Former NAFCO Boss prosecution
The former National Food Buffer Stock Company Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, his wife Faiza Seidu Wuni and three others have been charged for alleged theft and money laundering of more than 78 million cedis of public funds. They have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
NSS Ghost Names trial
Former Executive Director of the National Service Authority Osei Assibey Antwi and his deputy, Gifty Oware are also before the High Court in separate cases of stealing, causing financial loss to the state and money laundering amounting GHC2.2billion.
Chairman Wontumi Galamsey cases
NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Boasiako Antwi, aka Wontumi is before the courts in two separate illegal mining-related cases. A third case is looming as the Attorney-General has annouced charged will be preferrred soon.
SML case
Former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and seven others including former GRA Commissioners are facing multiple corruption charges of using public for profit and causing financial loss to the state for their roles in an SML deal. the state is currently trying to extradite him and his chief of staff who are currently in the United States.
NPA Case
Former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid and nine others were also charged with 54 counts of offenses including, extortion, using public office for profit and money laundering.
All accused persons are on bail after they pleaded not guilty.
Agradaa trial
Call it the evil that men do lives after them but Evangelist Patricia Asiedu, known in previous circles as Nana Agradaa, a former fetish priestess was sentenced to 15 years in jail after she was convicted for charlatanic advertisement and defrauding by false pretense.
Despite beginning her sentence, Agradaa has a separate case at the High Court where she has been charged for allegedly leaking nude images.
NPP Bono Regional Chair, Abronye found himself at the wrong end of the law after he was charged with false publication and insulting conduct.
Arguably the biggest case of 2025, multiple suits filed by MP for Tafo, and former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo against petitions seeking her removal resulted in busy schedules at the apex court. She was eventually removed on September 1.
On election petitions, the apex court ordered the suspension of a scheduled parliamentary election rerun in the Kpandai Constituency pending the determination of an application challenging the Tamale High Court’s decision that ordered the rerun.
By Laud Adu-Asare
