We must end it - Haruna Iddrisu slams excessive bail conditions

Haruna Iddrisu criticised increasing abuses of power by some state institutions in the handling of bail for accused persons on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the funeral rites of Dr Mahama Sayibu. The Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Tamale South said, "In Ghana today, we have seen excesses; excesses from the Police, excesses from the Court, excesses from EOCO denying persons bail, and using bail as punishment for accused persons. That is not law." He stressed that Ghana's laws are clear on bail administration and cautioned against arbitrary denials or excessively harsh bail conditions.

Mr. Iddrisu noted that under Section 96(3) and (4) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30), bail conditions must be reasonable and based on the circumstances of each case. He also referenced Article 19(2)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the presumption of innocence until proven guilty after a fair trial. He urged, "Don't deny an accused person bail or ask an accused person to pay excessively as a punishment. Every person is presumed innocent until after a fair trial."

The Education Minister called for reforms within the justice system and appealed to institutions responsible for administering justice to act with fairness and restraint. He stated, "I expect that in Ghana today we must end the high-handedness and excessiveness in matters relating to bail, its denial, and its conditions." His comments come amid growing public concern over bail practices in Ghana and follow similar concerns raised recently by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, who has called for reforms in Ghana's remand and bail system.