Chief Justice reopens 4 courts in Upper East, 3 remain closed

Four courts that were recently shut down due to the renewed protracted Bawku chieftaincy-related conflict were yesterday reopened to the public.

They are the High, Circuit and District courts in Bolgatanga and the District Court in Bongo.

However, per the new memorandum issued, the District Courts in Garu, Zebilla and Zuarungu remain closed.

Closure of courts

In the wake of the escalating violence in Bawku and its environs, the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, ordered the closure of seven courts in the Upper East Region.

The measure, the Chief Justice said, was to ensure the safety of judges, staff and court users.

Already, the Circuit and District courts in Bawku had been closed since the conflict resumed in November 2021, compelling residents in need of court services to resort to those in nearby districts.

Memorandum

A memorandum dated October 29, 2024, and signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Pamela C. A. Koranteng, announcing the closure of the courts, said the attention of the Chief Justice had been drawn to concerns expressed by lawyers and other stakeholders about the situation in Bawku and its environs.

 “In order to ensure the safety of judges, staff, lawyers and court users, the Chief Justice has ordered the closure of the affected courts with immediate effect until further notice,” it said.

The closure of the courts followed heightened insecurity in the region as a result of a deadly attack by unidentified gunmen who opened fire on travellers along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

Reopening

However, a new memorandum dated November 8, 2024 and signed by the Judicial Secretary, announced the reopening of the four courts immediately for business upon a directive by the Chief Justice.

The statement further directed the registrars of the affected courts to take note and resume operations of the court accordingly.

Visit

When the Daily Graphic visited the courts in Bolgatanga yesterday, all of them had reopened and were doing business as directed.

Many court users were on the premises to attend to the hearing of their cases while others were also seen transacting other businesses at the respective courts.

In an interview with some of the clients, they expressed gratitude and welcomed the reopening of the courts.

Additionally, some food vendors and stationery businesses operating around the courts expressed delight at the reopening as their closure negatively impacted their operations.

Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh