Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has backed the decision by the Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe Bonnie (CJ), to allow some criminal trials to proceed during the legal vacation.

According to him, the move will help prevent delays in corruption-related cases before the court.

In a post shared on his Facebook page on August 6, 2026, he touched on the pressure judges face in their work but insisted that the need for judicial rest should not prevent the courts from ensuring speedy trials, especially in corruption-related cases.

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"I have witnessed criminal and civil trials in the courts of Ghana. I have witnessed the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion our judges endure. I support legal vacation for the simple but crucial fact that the judges need some rest.

“If I had my way, corruption trials would take place on weekends and on Christmas Day,” he stated.

The investigative journalist warned against allowing accused persons to exploit legal delays to avoid accountability, noting that such tactics have been used in the past.

“We cannot and must not normalise looting with impunity, especially when the actors know that their lawyers can play delay games until their party comes into office to free them,” he said.

He argued that a person who believes in their innocence should welcome a quick trial to clear their name.

“If I were a lawyer in a case and knew my client was innocent, my client and I would be happy for a speedy trial to clear my client,” he added.

Manasseh called on the judiciary to strengthen efforts towards faster trials, indicating that Ghana needs a system capable of responding effectively to cases involving public accountability.

“Dear Chief Justice, we need more speedy trials,” he added.

The CJ has issued a warrant allowing Francis Achibonga and Audrey Kocuvie-Tay to continue sitting during the legal vacation to handle case management and trials involving Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) cases.

See the post below:



JKB/BAI

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