Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has defended his public criticism of a Circuit Court judge handling a politically charged case involving New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, saying he was exercising a constitutional right to challenge what he described as a troubling pattern in the judge’s conduct.
In a social media post on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Afenyo-Markin said he was responding to what he observed as a consistent pattern in the handling of political cases before Circuit Court 9. He urged the Chief Justice to monitor the judge and ensure he upheld the standards of his office. He further stated that the Minority Caucus in Parliament would take what he called appropriate constitutional steps in response.
The remarks came after the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) condemned his earlier comments as unethical and unprofessional. GBA spokesperson Saviour Kudze said lawyers who disagreed with court decisions should use existing legal mechanisms rather than make public attacks on judges. “The appellate system is not there for fun,” Kudze told Citi FM, adding that the association expects more from a senior lawyer and public figure.
Kudze described the judiciary as the last line of defence for Ghanaians and warned that sustained public attacks on judges risk eroding public confidence in the legal system.
NPP Deputy General Secretary Haruna Mohammed backed Afenyo-Markin’s position on the same day, arguing that citizens retain the constitutional right to question judicial decisions they consider inconsistent or unjust. He said the party would continue to respect court processes while reserving the right to speak out on rulings it believes contradict legal standards.
The dispute centres on the continued detention and legal proceedings involving Abronye DC, which has drawn sharp reactions from within the opposition and renewed debate about the boundaries between political commentary and judicial independence in Ghana.
