News
Atta Akyea asks Chief Justice to withdraw vacation hearing directive in Adu-Boahene trial
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-06-at-16.36.08.jpeg&description=Atta Akyea asks Chief Justice to withdraw vacation hearing directive in Adu-Boahene trial', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-06-at-16.36.08.jpeg&description=Atta Akyea asks Chief Justice to withdraw vacation hearing directive in Adu-Boahene trial', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea has asked the Chief Justice to withdraw a directive that allows the criminal trial involving former National Signals Bureau Director-General Kwabena Adu-Boahene to continue during the legal vacation.
In a letter dated August 5, 2026, Mr. Atta Akyea, who is head of chambers at Zoe, Akyea & Co., said his legal team would be unable to attend the scheduled hearings on August 11, 12 and 13.
The hearings were fixed by Justice Francis Apangabuno Achibonga, who is sitting as an additional High Court judge, following a warrant issued under the authority of the Chief Justice.
Mr. Atta Akyea argued that the directive would force the lawyers for the accused persons to work during the legal vacation while other lawyers and judges were resting.
He stated that members of his law firm had already worked throughout the legal year, from October 2025 to July 2026, and had planned personal engagements and travel during the vacation period.
According to him, the legal vacation has traditionally been a period for lawyers and judges to rest after a demanding year.
The lawyer warned that allowing the case to continue during the vacation could create the impression of selective justice.
He said many other criminal and civil cases had been adjourned until October or November 2026 because of the legal vacation, and argued that the Adu-Boahene case should be treated in the same manner.
In the letter, he referred to Article 125(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which states that justice is administered in the name of the Republic by an independent Judiciary.
Mr. Atta Akyea further stated that some members of the public had formed the view that there were now two systems of criminal justice delivery: one for what he described as “special criminal cases” before specialised courts and another for ordinary criminal cases that follow the normal process.
He appealed to the Chief Justice to reconsider the directive, withdraw the warrant and adjourn the case until the courts resume regular sittings.
The criminal case involves Mr. Adu-Boahene, Angela Adjei Boateng and Advantage Solutions Limited.
Copies of the letter were also sent to the Judicial Secretary, the President of the Ghana Bar Association and the Registrar of High Court Specialised Court 1 in Accra.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the assault of an arrested person while in police custody and has directed the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said it noted with concern that the assault followed public statements linked to a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that regardless of the allegation against a suspect, no one has the right to assault a person in police custody.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the statement noted.
It also expressed serious concern over how civilians gained access to the person in custody.
The Minister, Muntaka Mubarak has directed the IGP to take three immediate actions
They are to identify how civilians accessed the arrested person and determine if any police personnel facilitated, permitted or acquiesced, adding that officers found culpable will face disciplinary action.
Additionally take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons who carried out the assault, in accordance with the law.
And finally investigate the conduct of all supervising officers responsible for custody and supervision, and apply disciplinary sanctions where necessary.
The Minister further directed the Police to deal with all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents “strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.”
The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana.
“No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement emphasized.
It reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government of Ghana has stated that it fully funded the evacuation of more than 1,600 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said Ghana did not seek financial or material support from the South African Government to bring the affected Ghanaians back home.
The Ministry was responding to media reports that South Africa was seeking about $18 million in reimbursement from some African countries for costs incurred in supporting and evacuating their nationals.
It explained that all costs related to the evacuation of Ghanaians were covered by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the evacuees are also provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items after arriving in Ghana to help them settle back into the country.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country would not be included among those being asked by South Africa to reimburse the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
The Ministry said the government would continue to take timely action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians outside the country were at risk.
It expressed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
By: Jacob Aggrey
