Wontumi’s Bail: Kwaku Azar rubbishes claims of threats to judicial independence

US-based Ghanaian legal practitioner, Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, has challenged claims that threats by some NDC supporters to leave the party in 2028 if Chairman Wontumi is granted bail.

They have termed the move (if successful) as amounting to an attack on judicial independence.

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In a lengthy write-up on his Facebook on October 17, 2026, he questioned the basis for linking the supporters’ alleged threats to claims that the judiciary was being intimidated or pressured to abandon established legal principles.

Kwaku Azar argued that threatening to withdraw political support from a party was not, in itself, evidence of interference with the work of the courts.

“Assuming your observation is accurate, how does a threat to leave a political party become a threat against the judiciary?” he asked.

Kwaku Azar also questioned the argument that the alleged threats showed that NDC supporters regarded the judiciary as an extension of their party.

He argued that their concerns about Wontumi potentially being granted bail could instead suggest that they recognised the courts could make decisions they might not agree with.

“Indeed, if they believed the judiciary was firmly under their party’s control, why would they be contemplating an outcome contrary to their wishes?” he stated.

“What exactly have you observed that establishes judicial intimidation, political control, or a departure from established legal principles?” he asked.

According to him, a threat to withdraw political support could reflect frustration, misplaced expectations or a misunderstanding of judicial independence.

However, he maintained that such a threat did not, without further evidence, establish an attack on the judiciary.

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Kwaku Azar said the court should determine Wontumi’s application for bail pending appeal based on the applicable legal requirements, not political pressure or threats to withdraw party support.

“If Wontumi satisfies the legal requirements for bail pending appeal, the Court should grant it. If he does not, the Court should refuse it. Neither outcome should depend on who threatens to leave a political party,” he stated.

Read his full post below:

MAG/VPO

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