The High Court in Accra has directed the Attorney-General’s Department to submit a detailed report explaining the detention of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who has been in the custody of state security agencies since December 24, 2025.

The court ordered that the report be filed on or before January 21, 2026. It must outline the circumstances and legal basis for Mr Abagre’s continued detention, in line with Section 3 of the Habeas Corpus Act, 1964 (Act 244).

The directive was issued by a court presided over by Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, following a habeas corpus application filed on behalf of Mr Abagre.

Appearing in court, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai said the Office of the Attorney-General had elected to intervene proactively due to the public interest nature of the case and its potential national security implications. He explained that the AG’s Department appeared despite not having been formally served, in order to abridge procedural requirements and help ensure a swift resolution while safeguarding the detainee’s human rights.

Dr Srem-Sai subsequently requested a short adjournment to allow the Attorney-General’s Office to be properly served with the writ and accompanying processes.

In its ruling, the court granted the request for a report and emphasized the need for clarity on the legality of Mr Abagre’s detention.

Following the ruling, counsel for Mr Abagre, Martin Kpebu, urged the court—“for the avoidance of doubt”—to also order, under Section 2 of Act 244, that the Attorney-General produce the detainee in court. He told the court that he had not seen his client for over two and a half weeks, despite making formal requests which had allegedly been refused.

The case has been adjourned to January 26, 2026, for continuation.

Background

Alhaji Seidu Abagre was removed from Bawku by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces on December 24, 2025. His removal followed recommendations contained in a mediation report by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as part of efforts to resolve the long-running Bawku chieftaincy conflict.