Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has cautioned against the exploitation of judicial prerogative, asserting that such behaviour diminishes public trust in the Judiciary and extinguishes the aspirations of individuals seeking redress from the courts.
He articulated these observations during the swearing-in ceremony of fifty-two newly appointed Circuit Court adjudicators, comprising forty magistrates elevated through promotion and twelve inductees from the Bar, on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Addressing the freshly instated judges, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged them to execute their responsibilities with probity, proficiency, and autonomy.
“The rulings we render must safeguard lives, households, enterprises, and communities. We must, therefore, approach our duties with analytical diligence. This requires a sustained, ongoing commitment to accountability. I wish to stress that judicial authority is not self-originated.
“It is a mandate conferred by the citizenry through the Constitution. That mandate must be exercised prudently and strictly in conformity with statutory law.”
He added, “Any misuse of judicial power erodes public confidence and weakens the foundational principle of the rule of law. Every claimant who appears before you brings more than a case; they bring an expectation—the expectation of attaining equitable adjudication.”
“As adjudicators, you must be guided by three enduring principles: integrity, competence, and independence. Integrity must define both your public demeanor and private conduct. You must remain impartial within your domain, avoiding circumstances that could compromise neutrality or create impressions of impropriety. Your judgments must be lucid, well-reasoned, and anchored in sound legal doctrine.”
