News
Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders
- /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/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-20-at-14.26.30.jpeg&description=Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders', '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/2026/07/WhatsApp-Image-2026-07-20-at-14.26.30.jpeg&description=Bawumia urges Mahama to withhold assent to Tribunals Bill and consult stakeholders', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama not to assent to the Tribunals Bill, 2026, but instead begin broad consultations with key stakeholders before any decision is taken.
In a public address yesterday, Dr Bawumia said the bill had the potential to reshape Ghana’s justice delivery system and therefore required wider national discussion.
He noted that Parliament passed the bill after waiving the mandatory one-day interval between the consideration stage and the third reading, despite objections from the Minority and organised labour.
“The bill will soon be transmitted to the President for his assent. I have one respectful request of President Mahama. Mr President, do not assent to this bill,” he stated.
According to him, the issue should not be treated as a partisan matter because it concerns the country’s justice system and democracy.
Dr Bawumia pointed out that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) had called for the withdrawal of the bill, warning that in its current form it could be used to weaponise the justice delivery system.
He also referred to the work of the Constitution Review Committee, which was set up by President Mahama and submitted its report last December.
According to him, the committee recommended the removal of regional tribunals from the Constitution because the High Court had long been handling their workload.
He questioned why Parliament had passed legislation to reintroduce tribunals before the committee’s report had been made public.
“Mr President, publish the report first,” he urged.
Dr Bawumia further argued that Ghana’s congested courts should be addressed by appointing more judges, building more courtrooms and expanding digital processes instead of creating what he described as a second justice system.
He expressed concern that the proposed tribunals could include panel members who are not lawyers sitting in judgment over criminal cases.
The NPP flagbearer appealed to the President to use his parliamentary majority with restraint, stressing that not every bill that could be passed should necessarily become law.
He called on President Mahama to convene a national dialogue involving the Ghana Bar Association, other lawyers’ groups, organised labour, civil society organisations, political parties and the Judiciary.
Dr Bawumia assured the President that the NPP would participate in such discussions in good faith if invited.
“Justice belongs to no government and no party. It belongs to the Ghanaian people, and a law that reshapes the architecture of justice should rest on national consensus, not on headcount,” he said.
He urged the President to use the Council of State process under Articles 90 and 106 of the 1992 Constitution to engage the nation instead of assenting to the bill.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
