Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has expressed strong disappointment over the initial denial of bail to former NPP National Chairman, Freddie Blay, describing the decision as unusual and troubling for Ghana’s judicial system.
His comments come after the Koforidua High Court, presided over by His Lordship George Krofa Addai,granted bail to Mr. Blay in the sum of GHS800,000 with two sureties to be residents in either the Greater Accra or Eastern Region.
Speaking to journalists in Koforidua on Wednesday, Mr. Dame criticized the earlier decision by the Akropong Circuit Court to deny bail, stating that such a move was not only unwarranted but also inconsistent with Ghana’s legal principles.
“Ordinarily, this should not have been difficult at all,” he said, noting that almost all offences in Ghana are bailable.
According to him, Mr. Blay’s long-standing legal career spanning 48 years, coupled with his strong ties within the country, made him highly unlikely to abscond. He argued that there was no reasonable basis to deny him bail in the first place.
Mr. Dame further described the charge of causing unlawful damage to property as “spurious,” insisting that the facts presented by the prosecution do not support the allegations. He maintained that Mr. Blay neither authorized nor engaged in any destruction of property, adding that there was no structure on the land in question to be damaged.
He warned that such judicial decisions risk undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
“This development is very unhealthy for our judicial system. It brings the judiciary into disrepute,” he stated, suggesting that the earlier remand of his client appeared punitive rather than justified.
Mr. Blay had been on remand for nearly three weeks following the earlier court ruling. His legal team also cited his deteriorating health as a key reason for seeking bail.
While welcoming the High Court’s decision, Mr. Dame noted that the initial bail conditions requiring two public servants as sureties were unnecessarily harsh, but expressed relief that they were varied to more reasonable terms.
Eastern Regional Secretary of NPP Tonny Kofi Osei Agyei,said justice has now been served.
Supporters of the NPP in New Juaben South massed up in their numbers to solidarize with Freddie Blay.
The Akropong Circuit Court in Eastern Region on Monday March 16,2026 remanded Mr.Freddie Blay, the former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), based on an arrest warrant issued a year ago over a disputed property demolition at Aburi-Kitase .
The enforcement of the arrest warrant led to the arrest of Mr. Blay, a veteran legal practitioner and political figure in Accra and was quickly arraigned before the Akropomg Circuit court.
He was expected to remain in custody until on 9th April, 2026 but fell ill as a result of high blood pressure and was sent to the hospital.
Court case stems from a criminal complaint filed by a landowner who alleges that Mr. Blay has demolished a house under construction on a disputed parcel of land in Aburi – Kitase.
The complainant made formal complained at the Police Station but Mr.Freddie Blay reportedly failed to honour several police invitations to respond to the allegations.
The Police consequently ,filed charges against him in April 2025,however, Mr.Blay did not appear in court.
The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest, which was issued and remained active until its enforcement Monday March 16 .
Hoever, defence cousel of Mr.Blay claim he was unaware of the case and the bench warrant.
Their arguement is that the dispute is civil in nature linked to parcel of land purchased dating back to 1994 which has been the subject of protracted litigation but denied ordering demolishing of any building ,rather, directed for clearing of weeds on the land in January to prevent it from breeding reptiles and other dangerous animals that could endanger health of the neighbourhood.
The case is expected to continue as Mr. Blay prepares to defend himself against the charges in court in Akropong Court.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
