A clarion call has been issued to the Chief Justice of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Baffoe Bonnie to take a decisive action against legal practitioners who consistently apply strategic means to delay court proceedings…
Mr. Hayford Bright Antwi,ca renowned retired legal practitioner based in Kumasi has expressed deep concern over a growing trend where certain lawyers exploit the judicial system to frustrate simple matters to render the principle of justice unattainable for many Ghanaians.
The Erosion of Public Trust:
In a press release dated Monday September 13 2026, Mr. Antwi argued that the constant unnecessary requests for adjournments erode public confidence in the Judiciary system.
While he acknowledged the fact that the law provides a mechanism for adjournments, he insisted that these provisions are allegedly being abused with impunity by certain legal practitioners in the country..
He said the law was not intended to be used as a tool for obstruction, adding that when lawyers choose to drag out simple cases which often they know that their clients would likely to lose or simply to serve their own financial interests these lawyers are not just practicing the true law, but they are denying the citizens of their rights to justice.
Mr. Antwi noted that many cases that could be settled out of court or can be resolved in a matter of days are being stretched into years of litigation, leaving the average citizen disillusioned and weary of the legal process.
The Case of the Association of Day Pentecostal Assemblies:
To illustrate the impact of these tactics, Mr. Antwi pointed to the ongoing legal battle within the Association of 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies in Kumasi.
He reiterated that the case which has been dragged on for 18 solid years was centred on a leadership dispute following the death of the church’s founder.
Despite the church’s constitution clearly gives mandate for an election to elect a successor and explicitly prohibiting family or personal interference, the legal process has been mired in endless motions and appeals.
According to Mr. Antwi, even after the High Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr earlier in this this year and both parties had previously authorized the Electoral Commission per the court verdict to conduct an election, the defendants’ (Pastor Miciah Addai’s) legal team has filed yet another writ to halt the process.
For 18 years this simple matter which can be solved within a matter of days based on the church’s constitution has been kept in legal limbo, Mr. Antwi remarked.
A Call for Judicial Vigilance:
Mr. Antwi on this note is urging the Chief Justice to provide a strong guidance for the judges across the country. He argues that the bench must be more vigilant in identifying “frivolous” delays and must not allow lawyers to hide behind the law to waste the time of judges, plaintiffs and defendants for the reasons known to such lawyers.
To help strengthened the Judiciary system Mr Antwi made the following suggestions:
Strict Adjournment Policies: Courts should implement a “zero tolerance” policy for adjournments unless there are documentary and unavoidable emergencies prove of such demands
Cost Implications: Introducing financial sanctions or costs against legal teams that file frivolous motions that are designed solely to delay proceedings.
Case Management Reforms: Greater reliance on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for civil matters, particularly those involving religious or communal leadership to avoid protracted litigation.
Judicial Oversight: Empowering judges to dismiss cases or motions that are clearly intended to abuse the court process.
As the nation watches the plea from the legal veteran, whether the legal system will continue to be a bastion for justice or whether it will continue to be sidelined by those who profit from the delays of truth.Credit:King Amoah
