The Upper East Regional Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Abdulai Jalaldeen has cited the sudden change in the security setup in court on Monday and Tuesday as justifiable enough for the closure of seven courts in the region.
According to him, the security of the court had to change following the escalation of conflict in Bawku, which fueled attacks along the Bolgatanga -Tamale Road, leading to the death of some persons including a senior high school student.
In a letter dated October 29, 2024, the Chief Justice ordered the closure of the High Court in Bolgatanga, the circuit court also in Bolgatanga and 5 District courts in Bolgatanga, Zuarungu, Zebila, Garu and Bongo, citing concerns expressed regards the safety of various stakeholders.
Mr. Jalaldeen explained that, if the situation persists, the other courts in the region that are still open could be affected.
He adds that various cases would then have to be suspended until the courts resume.
“You know the Walewale road incident happened on Sunday. So, Monday things changed. If you would have walked towards the courts, you would have seen that the security situation change and how long can we continue doing what they did on Monday to ensure that the security network is there?” he questioned.
“You know some of these clients who come from areas where this conflict is. How would they travel in? So to be on the safer side, they will temporarily halt what is happening and possibly look into it and see”.
He joins calls for cool heads to prevail in Bawku.
“I would just have to call on our brothers and sisters, whoever has a role to play, we should let cool heads prevail and stop inflaming the passions.”
He added, “Because where we are now, some people want to take advantage of it and this is not the time for people to take advantage of this situation. People are grieving. Why would we want to take advantage of it? So whatever one will say, we should be cautious, very very cautious in the type of utterances we give out”.
