There have been growing calls for Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to be cited for contempt following his recent criticism of a Circuit Court judge handling the case involving Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

The Effutu MP has stated that he would not respect the judge, accusing the court of failing to uphold the law in its ruling.

Over the years, several politicians, media personalities and public figures in Ghana have faced legal consequences after making comments deemed contemptuous toward judges and the courts.

Here are four notable contempt cases in Ghana’s recent history.

Reputation vs Being a Hero: The courtroom display between Kennedy Agyapong, UG professor in a contempt case

1.Montie FM trio jailed for threatening judges

One of the most infamous contempt cases in Ghana involved radio presenter Salifu Maase, popularly known as Mugabe, and political commentators Alistair Nelson and Godwin Ako Gunn of Accra-based Montie FM.

The trio were convicted in 2016 for making contemptuous comments and threatening judges of the Supreme Court during a political programme aired on the station.

The comments were made on the programme “Pampaso,” also known as “Bia Gya” (Open Fire), where the panellists reportedly threatened the lives of judges handling an election-related case.

The Supreme Court sentenced all three contemnors to four months imprisonment each and fined them GH¢10,000 each. The court added that failure to pay the fines would result in an additional one-month jail term.

Owners of Montie FM, Network Broadcasting Company, and another company linked to the station were also fined GH¢30,000 each.

The apex court ruled that the comments scandalised the judiciary and brought the administration of justice into disrepute.

2. Kennedy Agyapong summoned over alleged insults against judge

Former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong also found himself facing contempt proceedings after allegedly attacking a High Court judge over an ongoing land dispute.

In 2020, Justice Amos Wuntah Wuni summoned the outspoken politician after he allegedly insulted and threatened the judge on Accra-based NET2 TV.

Reports indicated that Agyapong became angry after the court reportedly delivered judgment in the case without his knowledge.

The judge subsequently issued a summons directing the then lawmaker to appear before the court and explain why he should not be punished for contempt.

The court accused him of scandalising and threatening the judiciary through his public remarks.

3.Sir John and Hopeson Adorye convicted by Supreme Court

In another high-profile case, former General Secretary of the NPP, the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John and party communicator Hopeson Adorye were convicted for criminal contempt by the Supreme Court.

The two were sanctioned over comments made on radio which the court found contemptuous.

Sir John was fined GH¢5,000 or face six months imprisonment in default, while Hopeson Adorye was fined GH¢2,000 or serve three months in jail in default of payment.

The court at the time further ordered Sir John to sign a six-month bond to be of good behaviour or risk another six-month jail term.

4.Abronye DC remanded over comments against Circuit Court judge

The latest high-profile case involves Bono Regional NPP Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

An Accra Circuit Court remanded Abronye into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) after he allegedly published a video attacking a Circuit Court judge on social media.

According to prosecutors, Abronye claimed the judge was politically biased and accused the court of delivering poor rulings filled with grammatical errors.

The prosecution further alleged that he attempted to incite public anger against the judiciary by describing the judge as “a politician” pretending to be a judge.

He has since been charged with publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace.

His bail application was denied, and he is expected to reappear in court on May 27, 2026.

AM

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