Private legal practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, has accused the Ghana Police Service of exploiting loopholes in the country’s laws to keep New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, in detention.
According to him, the courts have a duty to act “decisively” to safeguard the liberty of accused persons rather than allow investigative delays to be used as a tool of control.
“I have said that the police take advantage of the loopholes in our laws to remote-control accused persons,” Mr Brako-Powers told Martin Asiedu-Dartey on News360
His comments followed the decision of a court to remand Abronye once again because police investigations into his case are still ongoing.
Mr Baffoe has been charged with offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace and the publication of false news. His case has been adjourned to September 19, 2025.
Reacting further, Mr Brako-Powers stressed that the court has discretionary powers under the law to grant or deny bail.
“In Martin Kpebu No. 2, the Supreme Court was clear that if the court exercises its discretionary power under Section 96(5) of Act 30 to deny bail, it may be justified provided the reason is sound enough,” he explained.
He, however, argued that since the offences levelled against Abronye are misdemeanours, the court ought to have rejected what he described as police “maneuverings” to keep him in custody.
Mr Brako-Powers warned that such practices risk undermining public confidence in the justice system if courts continue to accommodate police tactics that unduly prolong detention.
He urged the judiciary to demonstrate greater assertiveness in protecting constitutional rights, stressing that “justice delayed is not just denied, but manipulated when loopholes are exploited.”
