The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah, on Friday, September 12, 2025, refused bail to the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, James Kwame Baffoe, alias Abronye DC, for the second time.

On September 9, 2025, the judge denied bail to Abronye, who had been brought before the court on charges of disseminating false news and remanded him into custody to reappear on Friday, September 12, 2025.

At his reappearance, the defence team, led by former New Patriotic Party Chairman, Freddie Blay; Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin; and Daniel Mantey, appealed to the court to grant their client bail.

Arguing their application, the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency informed the court that, contrary to the court’s order for Abronye to be kept in lawful custody, he had been held in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) since the remand.

Abronye remanded again

He noted that their client, who faces misdemeanor charges, was being transported in a police Black Maria, suggesting that his offense was grave, an act he described as unwarranting high-handedness.

He informed the court that his client is a known politician with a fixed abode and would appear for hearings if granted bail.

He pleaded with the court to grant his client bail with favorable conditions, even though the prosecution was likely to sway the court in their attempt to punish Abronye over his comments against the Inspector General of Police.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Lawal, strongly opposed the bail application, noting that the use of a Black Maria to transport Abronye is standard police practice aimed at ensuring the safety and security of suspects.

He emphasised the police’s commitment to protecting the suspect’s rights and stated that the suspect is needed to assist with investigations into videos bordering on national security.

The prosecution argued that the accused is likely to interfere with investigations if granted bail and remains a flight risk, having written to several embassies seeking asylum.

The 'sins' of Abronye DC

“We pray that the accused person be remanded for two weeks to allow the police to conclude their investigations and amend the charges if necessary,” the prosecution added.

Rising on a point of law, Afenyo-Markin accused the prosecution of showing bad faith, noting that they were not ready to prosecute the matter.

Ruling on the application, the presiding judge noted that the issue in contention is a matter of misdemeanor but emphasised that the suspect’s comments against the Inspector General of Police could threaten national security.

He stated that while the suspect has the right to freedom of speech, that freedom is not absolute.

He further noted that while a person is at liberty to criticise the police, blatant insults cannot be permitted.

He emphasised the role of the courts in addressing the politics of insults. The judge, therefore, remanded Abronye into custody to reappear on September 19, 2025.

Following the court’s ruling, a police reinforcement of two full buses arrived at the court premises to ensure safety for the removal of the suspect from the courtroom into a waiting Black Maria, which took Abronye back into custody.

The departure was not without drama, as teeming supporters of the New Patriotic Party besieged the court premises, chanting in protest of the court’s decision.

Abronye faces two counts: publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.

Watch the video of Abronye being taken away from court after his remand below:



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