Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a 79-year-old retired teacher accused of acting as a chief in Bawku without qualification, has been granted bail by the High Court in Accra.

He was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties after an application by his lawyers.

As part of the bail terms, Abagre is required to report to the National Intelligence Bureau twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays.

He has also been directed not to leave the jurisdiction and to refrain from presenting himself, or allowing himself to be presented, as a traditional leader.

The prosecution has further been instructed to ensure that the accused, who is also facing charges of provocation of riot, offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace, and fighting with weapons, receives medical attention.

The case has been adjourned to March 23, 2026.

Legal representative for the accused, Martin Kpebu, described the grant of bail as a positive step for Ghana’s democracy.

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“This is good for our democracy. I remember the last time I complained that the charges are midnight charges, so we shouldn’t use those to deny the accused bail. Now that he has been admitted to bail, that’s the right time. It conduces to the improvement of our democracy. Though the state has been talking about security, the thing is: would the state be able to keep him in custody forever? No,” Kpebu said.

The accused has been charged with “acting as a chief without qualification, contrary to the Chieftaincy Act, Provocation of riot, contrary to Section 200 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), offensive conduct conducive to breach of the peace and fighting with weapons,” and has pleaded not guilty to all four counts.

Alhaji Seidu Abagre has been granted GH₵100,000 bail, with two sureties, in connection with the Bawku Chieftaincy dispute. pic.twitter.com/WMZZvJ1jsw

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) February 9, 2026