News
Manasseh Azure Awuni calls for swift prosecution in corruption cases
Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has called on the acting Chief Justice to take steps to ensure that corruption cases involving public officials are handled quickly and fairly, without turning the process into unnecessary drama.
In a statement titled “Let the Drama End, and Prosecution Begin,” Manasseh Azure urged Justice Baffoe-Bonnie to call some judges to order, saying that while all offences are bailable, bail conditions should not be used as punishment against suspects.
He emphasised that Ghanaians are demanding justice, not drama, and said the justice system must focus on ensuring that those accused of stealing public funds face the law within reasonable timeframes.
According to him, there is no reason why high-profile corruption cases cannot be resolved within two months, citing how other countries, such as the United States, handle major trials within weeks.
He also noted that Ghana’s election petitions and lawsuits against the Electoral Commission are often concluded within a short period, proving that quick justice is possible when there is commitment.
Manasseh Azure called on the Chief Justice to set up special courts dedicated to corruption cases and to ensure they sit continuously to speed up trials.
He added that lawyers and prosecutors should avoid delaying tactics, saying both sides must be prepared before stepping into court.
“If the accused are innocent, they should be set free. If they are found guilty, let’s put them in jail. Their lawyers can appeal,” he said.
The journalist criticised what he described as “outrageous bail conditions” that make headlines but end without results, insisting that Ghanaians need swift prosecutions, not endless courtroom drama.
He concluded that ending corruption requires urgency, fairness, and discipline within the justice system, adding, “The drama must end. Using bail as punishment must cease. Let swift prosecution begin.”
By Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that it will begin a special revenue mobilisation exercise on Monday, November 10, 2025, to recover all monies owed to the Assembly for the 2025 fiscal year.
According to the AMA, the exercise aims to boost revenue generation and improve service delivery across the city.
it sais a Revenue Mobilisation Task Force will visit businesses, properties, and outdoor advertising locations to reconcile bills and collect outstanding payments.
The Assembly advised all ratepayers to make available valid receipts of payment for Business Operating Permits (BOPs), Property Rates, Outdoor Advertising Fees, and Rents.
The Assembly added that those who may not be present during the exercise are encouraged to leave their receipts with caretakers to avoid penalties, as no excuses will be accepted from defaulters or their agents.
The assembly noted that the task force will also remove all unauthorised billboards, and companies found to have erected such structures without permits will be surcharged with the cost of removal.
The AMA urged all businesses and property owners to cooperate with the exercise, noting that the funds collected will help the Assembly continue to provide essential services such as sanitation, infrastructure development, and public safety.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Former Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to review his approach to governance, describing it as “not the best.”
He said the recent bail conditions imposed on some former government officials are unfair and appear to be punitive rather than just.
Mr. Glover made these comments during an interview on Metro TV.
He explained that bail is supposed to allow an accused person to appear before the court while the case is being tried, and not to serve as a form of punishment.
“If you want me to appear regularly before the police and the court, you can put a condition for me, but it should not be punitive. You can take my passport, ask me to report, or inspect my property. But where you make the bail so high that the person cannot even meet it, that becomes punishment,” he said.
He noted that some of the accused persons, including former government officials such as “my brother Assibey and my sister Gifty,” are still in custody because they have not been able to meet their bail requirements.
“What is the use of it? You keep them in incarceration, and they cannot have their day in court. Then you slap them with high bail conditions, making it difficult for them to secure their release. So what kind of justice are we talking about?,” he questioned.
Mr. Glover further criticized what he described as prejudicial comments made against accused persons before their cases are even heard in court, adding that it undermines justice.
He said the government, through agencies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the police, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, should ensure fairness and transparency in handling such cases.
He urged President Mahama to pay attention to these developments, warning that such practices affect the country’s image and governance.
By: Jacob Aggrey
