Samuel Atta Akyea, lead counsel for New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has alleged that judges handling politically sensitive cases are rushing proceedings in a manner aimed at pleasing the government at Jubilee House.
Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews with host Samson Lardy Anyenini on Saturday, July 26, 2026, the former Abuakwa South MP questioned what he described as an “indecent haste” in the prosecution and adjudication of political cases, arguing that such urgency is not applied to other criminal or civil matters before the courts.
According to Atta Akyea, the pace at which political cases are being heard contrasts sharply with the treatment of ordinary cases, particularly land disputes, where adjournments can stretch for weeks or even months.
“There seems to be an indecent haste to prosecute what I call political cases,” he said.
He argued that in the normal administration of justice, judges often adjourn cases for extended periods, allowing litigants and lawyers adequate time to prepare.
However, he claimed that political cases are increasingly being assigned to special courts that insist on continuous hearings, making it difficult for lawyers to balance other legal commitments.
He questioned the rationale behind such arrangements, suggesting they create the impression that political cases are receiving preferential treatment over other matters pending before the courts.
Atta Akyea further contended that the same level of urgency is not extended to civil disputes, particularly land litigation, where judges may hear cases over several months despite their importance to the parties involved.
He expressed concern that the accelerated handling of political prosecutions could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
According to him, there is a growing perception that some judges are operating in what he described as an “ambulance mood” to secure convictions in politically charged cases.
He warned that the justice delivery system should not be influenced by political timelines or the expectations of any administration.
“Justice hasn’t gotten a political term of four years,” he said, arguing that courts should remain insulated from political pressures and should not be seen as working to satisfy public or government expectations of imprisoning political figures.
Atta Akyea alleged that there was a perception that some judicial decisions were intended to “placate Jubilee House,” claiming that the government and sections of its political support base appeared eager to see perceived corrupt officials prosecuted and jailed.
He maintained that a competent court should not concern itself with demonstrating political toughness but should instead be guided solely by the law and constitutional principles.
The senior lawyer also criticized the handling of constitutional issues raised by the defence in Chairman Wontumi’s case.
He said the defence had sought to refer constitutional questions to the Supreme Court but claimed the trial judge appeared unwilling to entertain the request.
According to him, the judge had already prepared a ruling before fully considering the defence’s constitutional arguments, a situation he said raised concerns about fairness and due process.
Atta Akyea insisted that once constitutional questions are properly raised by counsel for an accused person, they deserve careful consideration and, where appropriate, referral to the Supreme Court before the trial proceeds.
He reiterated his belief that there are sufficient grounds for concerns that judges presiding over political cases are handling them with unusual urgency, a development he argued could erode confidence in Ghana’s justice delivery system.
The comments come amid heightened public interest in the prosecution of Chairman Wontumi and other politically exposed persons, with debates continuing over the pace and conduct of high-profile criminal trials.
By 1960news.com
