'Rival' Bawku Naaba Detention: 'I've not seen my client in 18 days' – Kpebu fumes

Renowned private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, the lawyer of ‘rival Bawku Naaba’ Alhaji Seidu Abagre, has bemoaned the continued detention of his client by the state.

Speaking to the media after court proceedings on Monday, January 12, 2026, Kpebu said that his client has been detained for 18 days and that he has been denied access to him.

He pointed out that the continued detention of his client without him being brought before the court is illegal.

“As we stand here, it's been day 18… I have not seen my client. When I asked to see him, the NIB declined. I asked the Minister of the Interior; they declined and told me that I should go and write a letter, something that we don't do. So, effectively, that's further delay, so I see it as a denial.

“So, we want to see him. I haven't seen him in 18 days, not in Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana,” he said.

The lawyer, however, asked supporters of his client, including the overlord of the Mamprugu Kingdom, Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, and his subjects, to remain calm.

He explained that when the case resumes on January 26, 2025, the court will determine whether the state's decision to continue holding his client is lawful.

Bawku Conflict: Government to facilitate movement of rival chief to Nalerigu

“Let's be patient. Between today and 26th, it's not much time, so I ask for calm. That's very, very important. Let's have peace. Let's have some calm. No matter what, 26 will come, then we'll get to the bottom of this matter,” he said.

The High Court in Accra had earlier ordered the state to justify the continuous detention of Naba Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who was arrested following the implementation of the mediation report by the Asantehene, which recommended the removal of the rival chief from Bawku.

The court has asked the Office of the Attorney General to justify the state's continuous detention of Alhaji Seidu in a written report, following the hearing of a habeas corpus application filed by his lawyers on Monday, January 12, 2025.

The Asantehene’s mediation concluded that Zugraan Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Kusasi-enskinned Bawku Naaba, was the legitimate ruler of the area, as per the articles of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

The Asantehene, therefore, asked the state to enforce the laws of the country that recognise Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II as the Overlord of Bawku and urged Nayiri Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, who enskinned a chief for Bawku, Seidu Abagre, to respect the law.

The Asantehene also recommended that the government should facilitate the safe movement of Alhaji Seidu Abagre from Bawku.

BAI/AE

You can also watch more videos from Naser Toure's funeral below: