Circuit Court judge under fire for misattributing in his ruling on Abronye's detention

Circuit Court Judge Samuel Bright Acquah has come under criticism after misattributing a controversial quote during his ruling to deny bail to the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

On September 12, 2025, Judge Acquah remanded Abronye for the second time, despite strong arguments from his legal team.

Abronye, who is facing charges of "offensive conduct,” was ordered to spend one more week in custody, with the case adjourned to September 19, 2025.

In his ruling, Judge Acquah sought to justify his decision by invoking a quote he wrongly attributed to Zimbabwe’s late president Robert Mugabe, “I can assure you of freedom of speech but cannot assure you of freedom after speech.”

However, the statement is historically attributed to Idi Amin Dada, the former Ugandan military ruler (1971–1979), infamous for his dictatorial regime.

Critics, including social activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor, condemned the Judge for citing a dictator’s words to justify a democratic court ruling.

“The funny thing is that this Judge said he was quoting Mugabe. But he actually quoted Idi Amin. He quoted a dictator to justify denial of bail in a democracy. Ewurade,” Barker-Vormawor said.

“There is freedom of speech, but what I can't guarantee you is freedom after speech - Iddi Amin.

I treated NDC, Wontumi journalists the same, Abronye not different - Judge

A judge in modern-day Ghana is quoting this in his ruling. Absurdity is less a word to describe this ruling,” another social media user said.

“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech— Idi Amin Dada, the former military ruler of Uganda (1971–1979).

H/H Samuel Bright Acquah. This is from Idi Amin, not Robert Mugabe. A dictator. John Dramani Mahama, please sack this Judge for us.”

“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech. - Idi Amin

"What the Judge did on this page...

"He proceeded to threaten citizens with restrictions

"He wrongly attributed a quote.

"He sets precedents from his own court,” another added.

“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech. -Idi Amin

"It wasn't a quote of Robert Mogabi.

"Mr judge, plz quote right the next time.

"The constitution of the 4th Republic says we are all equal under the laws of Ghana.

"Mr Judge, are u saying some are more important than others?

"What is the Law about this ruling?

"What did the law say about misdemeanor?

"Cry my beloved Ghana cry."

As the case resumes on September 19, Abronye will remain in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), following a variation granted by the court upon his lawyer’s request.

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