Bawku: Alhaji Seidu Abagre granted bail

The High Court in Accra has granted bail to Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a 79-year-old retired teacher charged with allegedly acting as a chief in Bawku without lawful authority.

Presiding judge, Her Ladyship Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Bassit, granted the bail after considering submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, citing Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence.

Alhaji Abagre, who was present in court, is standing trial in connection with the protracted Bawku chieftaincy dispute.

At the hearing, the court inquired whether the prosecution had filed its disclosures. Responding, the Deputy Attorney-General told the court that preparations were at an advanced stage.

“My Lady, we are at the tail end of preparations to file our witness statements. We therefore pray for a short adjournment to complete documentation and related discussions,” Dr Srem-Sai said. He added that some of the disclosures would be filed in camera, meaning they would not pass through the regular court registry.

Counsel for the defence, Martin Kpebu, said he had no objection to the filing of disclosures in camera, provided they were made available sufficiently ahead of time before they were tendered in evidence.

Following this, the defence renewed its bail application, relying on submissions made at the previous sitting. Counsel further assured the court that the accused was willing, for now, not to travel to Bawku until further orders of the court.

The prosecution indicated it did not oppose the bail application. Dr Srem-Sai told the court that the Attorney-General’s office had no objection, save for “one or two other matters” which, he noted, might require approaching the bench for further discussion.

In her ruling, Justice Abdul-Bassit said the court had carefully considered the facts of the case and submissions from both sides. She subsequently granted bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties.

As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Alhaji Abagre to report to the police headquarters twice a week—on Mondays and Thursdays.

He is also restricted from leaving the Greater Accra Region unless he first applies to the court for permission.

Additionally, the accused was directed to refrain from parading himself as a chief or holding himself out as a leader or traditional authority figure.

The court further ordered the prosecution to ensure that the accused receives medical attention and is provided with adequate security until further notice, taking into account his age and circumstances.
The case has been adjourned to March 23 for continuation.

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