18years of legal battle: Retired lawyer urges Chief Justice to crack down on lawyers who abuse court processes to delay justice

A retired legal practitioner, Mr. Hayford Bright Antwi, has issued a strong appeal to the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Baffoe Bonnie, to crack down on lawyers who deliberately exploit court procedures to delay justice and frustrate litigants.

Mr. Antwi, a respected former lawyer based in Kumasi, says a disturbing pattern is emerging where some legal practitioners “weaponize adjournments” and procedural motions to drag out simple cases—often for financial gain or to avoid an unfavourable outcome.

Erosion of Public Trust

In a press statement dated Monday, September 13, 2026, Mr. Antwi warned that the Judiciary risks losing public confidence if judges continue to tolerate needless adjournments.

He acknowledged that adjournments are a legitimate legal tool but argued that they are now being abused with impunity.

“The law was never intended to be a tool for obstruction,” he said. “When lawyers deliberately drag out simple cases—knowing their clients may lose, or simply to serve their own financial interests—they are not practicing law. They are denying citizens their fundamental right to justice.”

He added that many cases that could be resolved within days or settled out of court are instead dragged for years, leaving innocent Ghanaians disillusioned and exhausted by the justice system.

The 18‑year Pentecostal Assemblies case

To demonstrate the human cost of such delays, Mr. Antwi cited the long‑running leadership dispute within the Association of 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies in Kumasi.

The case, now in its 18th year, stems from a succession dispute following the death of the church’s founder. Although the church’s constitution mandates an election and prohibits family interference, the matter has been trapped in a cycle of motions, appeals, and procedural roadblocks.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr, and both parties agreed to allow the Electoral Commission to conduct elections in line with the verdict. Yet, according to Mr. Antwi, the defendants’ legal team has filed another writ to halt the process.

“For 18 years this simple matter has been kept in legal limbo,” he lamented. “This is not just a legal issue; it is a spiritual crisis.”

He said the absence of a substantive leader is weakening the faith of congregants and tearing the church community apart.

A call for judicial vigilance

Mr. Antwi urged the Chief Justice to issue firm guidance to judges nationwide, stressing that the bench must be more alert to “frivolous” delays and refuse to allow lawyers to hide behind procedure to waste judicial time and taxpayers money.

Proposed reforms to curb adjournment abuse

He proposed a zero-tolerance policy on adjournments, arguing that courts should only grant them in documented and unavoidable emergencies. He also called for financial penalties against legal teams that file frivolous motions solely to delay proceedings.

In addition, he recommended expanding the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), particularly in civil, religious and communal leadership disputes, to improve case management and reduce pressure on the courts.

He further urged the judiciary to strengthen oversight by empowering judges to dismiss motions or cases that are clearly intended to abuse court processes.

A critical crossroads

Mr. Antwi’s plea highlights a defining moment for Ghana’s justice system: whether it will remain a true guardian of fairness or continue to be undermined by those who profit from delaying the truth.