Abronye granted GHS 50,000 bail

The Bono Regional Chairman of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court following his arrest last week.

The court on Monday admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢50,000 with one surety, after his lawyers argued that his health had deteriorated while in custody. 

Lead counsel Daniel Mantey Addo said bringing forward the hearing date from 19 September to 15 September was necessary because of his client’s condition.

Under the bail terms, Abronye is required to report to the police once a week. The case has been adjourned to 7 October.

The outspoken regional chairman faces two charges – publication of false news and offensive conduct likely to breach the peace. Prosecutors say he claimed on a television programme that all strategic meetings of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Akwatia were attended by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). He is also alleged to have described the current IGP, Tetteh Yohuno, as the “most corrupt” in the country’s history.

Abronye has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyers say news of the bail has brought him relief, and that they are working to meet the conditions for his immediate release.

Police confirmed his arrest on 8 September, saying it followed comments judged to be inflammatory and capable of undermining public peace.