By Nadia Ntiamoah
The Judicial Service has moved to defend the conduct of a magistrate who presided over the widely publicized assault case involving a teacher and a female student of Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School, firmly rejecting reports that the court advised the parties to settle the matter amicably outside the judicial process.
According to the Judicial Service, claims circulating in sections of the media and on social media suggesting that the magistrate encouraged reconciliation between the parties are entirely false and inconsistent with official court records.
The clarification follows widespread public debate and criticism that erupted after the criminal case against Eric Buernortey Apaflo, a teacher at Nyinahin Catholic Senior High School in the Ashanti Region, was struck out by the court.
The case attracted national attention after a video surfaced on social media showing a physical altercation between the teacher and a female student on the school’s campus.
The footage generated widespread public outrage, with many Ghanaians demanding accountability and disciplinary action against the teacher.
Following investigations, the matter was brought before the Toase District Court on June 10, 2026, where legal proceedings were expected to commence.
However, shortly after the case was called, the prosecution moved to discontinue the matter, leading to the discharge of the accused person.
The subsequent striking out of the case sparked criticism from members of the public, with reports emerging that the court had allegedly advised the parties and their families to resolve the matter through reconciliation and an out-of-court settlement.
Those reports triggered concerns about the handling of the case and led to public scrutiny of the presiding magistrate.
In response to the growing controversy, Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed announced that he had ordered a review of the court proceedings after receiving complaints and observing media reports which he believed misrepresented the actions of the court.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, June 12, 2026, the review examined official court records and handwritten notes from the proceedings at the Nkawie District Court.
The Judicial Service stated that the findings established that the magistrate acted entirely within the confines of the law and did not make any comments encouraging reconciliation between the parties.
Ahmed explained that the case was officially registered as Case No. ASH/NK/CC/D4/120/2026. He noted that the accused, Eric Buernortey Apaflo, appeared before the court represented by lawyer Melody Christian, while Assistant Superintendent of Police Frank Acheampong led the prosecution on behalf of the state.
According to the Judicial Secretary, proceedings took an unexpected turn when the prosecutor informed the court that he had received instructions from his superiors to withdraw the case.
“Upon the commencement of proceedings, the prosecutor informed the court that he was acting under instructions from his superiors to withdraw the case,” Mr. Ahmed stated.
Following the prosecution’s request, the magistrate struck out the case and discharged the accused person.
The Judicial Service emphasized that because the prosecution withdrew the case at the very beginning of proceedings, the court never progressed to the stage where charges would be formally read to the accused.
Likewise, no plea was taken from the accused before the case was discontinued. “It is important to note that no charge was read, nor was a plea taken,” the Judicial Secretary stated.
He stressed that allegations suggesting that the magistrate advised the parties to settle their differences were completely unfounded.
“Therefore, the allegation that the trial Judge advised the parties to reconcile their differences is categorically false and not reflective of the court’s actions on that day,” he added.
The Judicial Service further maintained that the magistrate merely exercised judicial discretion in accordance with established legal procedures after the prosecution elected to withdraw the case.
According to the statement, the actions taken by the court were fully supported by official records and handwritten notes from the proceedings.
Ahmed expressed concern that inaccurate accounts of the case had contributed to what he described as unfair criticism and public condemnation of the magistrate.
He therefore urged journalists, commentators and members of the public to verify facts before drawing conclusions about court proceedings.
The Judicial Secretary stressed that misinformation about judicial processes has the potential to undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
“The integrity of our judicial system depends on fair representation of its proceedings, and it is our duty as members of the Judiciary, the Judicial Service and the Judicial Council to uphold this standard,” he stated.
