The Accra High Court has ordered the remand of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, into police custody for disobeying a court order requiring him to deposit his passport with the court registry.
The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) was granted bail on May 21, 2026, in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties. Among the conditions, he was specifically directed to surrender his travelling documents to the registry and not to travel outside the jurisdiction without the court’s permission.
However, when the case came up on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Bassit heard that Abronye had failed to comply with the passport directive.
Court describes conduct as ‘flagrant disrespect’
Refusing an application to vary the bail condition, the judge described the accused’s conduct as a “flagrant disrespect” to the court.
“The court made specific orders directing applicant to deposit his passport at the registry of the court. The applicant has failed to comply with the order claiming that the passport is in the custody of the High Commission of the United Kingdom. This constituted a flagrant disrespect to the court’s order. This court will not condone,” Justice Abdul-Bassit held.
The court directed that Abronye remain in custody until he surrenders the passport.
Defence argues passport already with UK High Commission
Counsel for the accused, Daniel Martey Addo, had prayed the court to vary the bail condition, explaining that the passport was currently in the custody of the United Kingdom High Commission in Ghana. He tendered a receipt acknowledging receipt of the travel document.
Mr Addo further urged the court to consider his client’s educational rights, stating that Abronye was expected to resume studies in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2026. He also submitted that the accused might need to travel on health grounds.
Prosecution opposes variation
Principal State Attorney Joshua Sackey opposed the application, arguing that the bail conditions were mandatory and that the accused had failed to comply with them.
He pointed out that while bail was granted on May 21, the receipt exhibited by the defence showed the UK High Commission received the passport on May 25 — four days after the court order.
“That shows that the applicant had custody of his passport on May 21 but refused to hand it over to the registrar of the court as part of the bail conditions,” Mr Sackey submitted.
He further argued that the accused’s educational rights had not been infringed upon, as he could seek the court’s permission to travel if necessary.
Background of the case
Abronye is standing trial on one count of publication of false news and one count of offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace. The charges relate to statements he allegedly made concerning a Circuit Court judge, which the prosecution contends were false and likely to cause public disaffection towards the judiciary.
As part of his original bail conditions, Abronye was also ordered to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters once every two weeks.
The case continues.
