By Grace Zigah
Proceedings at the Accra High Court last Monday drew unusual public attention as the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, arrived under heavy security for an urgent hearing linked to the protracted Bawku chieftaincy dispute.
The Deputy Attorney-General was accompanied by three military officers—two females and a male from the Military Police—as well as a police officer, a security detail that quickly became the subject of public debate.
The heavily armed soldiers quickly surrounded the deputy minister providing security to him.
Dr. Srem-Sai’s court appearance was in connection with the habeas corpus application involving Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a 78-year-old retired teacher who has been charged by the state for allegedly holding himself out as a “rival” Bawku Naba without qualification.
Alhaji Abagre is facing multiple charges, including acting as a chief without authority under the Chieftaincy Act, provocation of riot, offensive conduct likely to breach the peace, and fighting with weapons, following his arrest in December 2025.
He has pleaded not guilty and is currently in custody as the legal process continues.
The case is unfolding against the backdrop of renewed state action to implement the final mediation report submitted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, aimed at resolving the decades-old Bawku chieftaincy conflict between the Mamprusi and Kusasi factions.
The National Democratic Congress government has, in recent months, taken steps to reduce tensions in the area, including relocating rival chiefs and intensifying security operations to curb violence that has claimed lives and displaced residents over the years.
Images and videos of Dr. Srem-Sai’s arrival at the court, widely circulated on social media, sparked animated discussions, with some commentators questioning the necessity of a military escort for a court appearance.
Others linked the security arrangement to the sensitivity of the Bawku matter, which has historically triggered violent reactions whenever decisive state action is taken.
The debate was further fueled by comparisons to past criticisms leveled against former Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame, who had previously been questioned by critics for appearing in public with a military bodyguard.
The strong security presence immediately drew public attention, particularly on social media, where critics recalled the period when the NDC, then in opposition, fiercely criticised the former Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, for appearing in public with a military officer.
At the time, the NDC argued that the routine use of soldiers by civilian officials risked the militarisation of governance and intimidated the public.
Now back in government, the party is facing accusations of inconsistency. Commentators have pointed out that not only has the Deputy Attorney-General appeared in court with multiple military guards, but that other individuals perceived to be close to the current administration—including, according to critics, a son of President John Dramani Mahama, Sharif Mahama—have also been seen moving with armed soldiers.
While government officials have not officially commented on these claims, the comparisons have intensified accusations of double standards in the use of state security.
Some claimed the heightened security reflects ongoing concerns about personal safety for key actors involved in the enforcement of the Asantehene’s mediation outcomes and the prosecution of cases tied to the Bawku conflict.
The dispute remains one of the most volatile chieftaincy issues, with deep historical roots dating back to colonial-era administrative decisions and subsequent legal and traditional rulings that have often been contested.
Beyond the security detail, Dr. Srem-Sai has been a central figure in several high-profile legal actions in January 2026, including commentary on the Abagre case and other proceedings involving state institutions such as the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
His visible presence in court underscores the government’s determination to pursue legal avenues as part of a broader strategy to restore calm and uphold the rule of law in Bawku.
The case was heard before the High Court, presided over by Justice Alimah El-Alawa Abdul-Basit, following Abagre’s arrest by security forces on December 24, 2025.
The arrest came in the wake of the implementation of recommendations from the final mediation report submitted by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, aimed at resolving decades of conflict between the Kusasi and Mamprusi factions in Bawku.
The report had advised decisive measures to reduce tensions, including the temporary relocation of rival chiefs.
During the court proceedings, the Deputy Attorney-General read out the brief facts of the case, after which Alhaji Abagre entered a not-guilty plea to all charges.
The four-count indictment includes acting as a chief without legal qualification, contrary to Section 63(a) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759); provocation of riot, contrary to Section 200 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29); offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace, contrary to Section 207 of Act 29; and fighting with weapons, contrary to Section 203(a) of Act 29.
Following the plea, the court remanded Alhaji Abagre into the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), pending further proceedings.
Legal observers note that the case highlights the intersection of traditional authority, public security, and the law, as the state seeks to enforce the recommendations of Otumfuo’s mediation report while ensuring that individual rights are respected.
The Bawku chieftaincy conflict, which has persisted for decades, is rooted in competing claims to traditional authority and land between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities.
The dispute has historically led to violent clashes, displacements, and loss of life.
