'Bravado can cost you freedom' — Agbemava warns as Abronye DC denied bail

In a development that has sparked considerable discussion, the Accra Circuit Court, on Friday, September 12, denied bail to Kwame Baffoe, widely known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

This decision, which sees Abronye remanded into police custody for another week, underscores a critical, albeit often overlooked, aspect of criminal proceedings: the importance of a defendant's demeanour and conduct before the court.

The sentiment, articulated in a social media post by Lawyer Elikplim Agbemava Lorlormava, a staunch member of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), posits that a court's perception of a defendant's disposition significantly influences bail outcomes.

Agbemava suggests that exhibiting 'bravado' or an apparent inclination to persist in the conduct that led to legal entanglement can severely jeopardise a bail application.

"If the Court 'gets the feeling' that you are disposed to continue with the conduct that brought you to the Court, it will be difficult for bail to be granted," he wrote."Applying for bail is not the time to exhibit bravado no matter the seriousness of the crime."

This perspective challenges the understanding of 'innocent until proven guilty,' advocating for a pragmatic approach where securing immediate freedom, even through a display of humility and respect for the judicial process, takes precedence over a protracted legal battle.

"It is better to gain your freedom today than being proven innocent 2 [two] years later," the renowned legal practitioner indicated.

Background
The outspoken Abronye DC was arrested by the Ghana Police Service on September 8, 2025, on charges of offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace.

His arrest followed his alleged attempts to seek political asylum in eight countries, citing political persecution, threats to his life, and alleged abuse of state security powers by the NDC government.

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus in Parliament has vehemently criticised Abronye's arrest and continued detention, labelling it as political persecution and an attempt to weaponise state security agencies and the judiciary against political opponents.

Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned the decision to hold the NPP regional chairman in the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), asking, "So the question is, why would the Ghana Police Service claim to be investigating a person and rather decide to send him to NIB cells? Is it to punish him or what?"

Abronye will, however, reappear in court on September 19, 2025.

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