Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, through her lawyers, Marfo and Associates, has petitioned the Attorney-General for the criminal matter against her brother and eight others at the Adenta Circuit Court to be transferred to the High Court.
According to her, a cursory look at the charges shows that the Circuit Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case, and that it is a matter over which the High Court has jurisdiction.
For instance, she said, the offence of intentionally and unlawfully causing harm with the use of an offensive weapon is a first-degree felony and is triable on indictment before the High Court, not the Circuit Court.
“The Circuit Court, therefore, lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter, let alone consider an application for bail in respect of the accused persons,” the petition to the Attorney-General, signed by Garry Nimako Marfo, stated.
“In the circumstances, it is legally untenable for the Police to have arraigned the accused persons before the Adenta Circuit Court, which had no jurisdiction over the charges,” the letter dated June 25, 2026, stated.
Having come to the conclusion that the Circuit Court had no jurisdiction, she said the court was wrong to assume jurisdiction to take their pleas and subsequently grant them bail.
The petition was copied to the Presiding judge, Deputy Attorney-General and five others.
On June 23, a brother of the former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, and eight others were arraigned at the Adenta Circuit Court over a shooting incident at Kwabenya, which led to Sarah Adwoa Safo being hospitalised.
Each of the accused — namely Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, 40, businessman; Tamakloe Safo Jehoshaphat, 38; Kwabena Safo, 35; Benjamin Amoakwa Sam, 37; Badu Enock, 34; Richard Ayittey, 38; and Gideon Safo, Nana Kwadwo Koomson, 22, all private security guards; and Nana Afriyie, 38, farmer — was granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 with two sureties to be justified.
The case has been adjourned to July 30, 2026.
Below is the Petition:
PETITION FOR REVIEW AND TO TRANSFER CRIMINAL CASE NO. GR/AD/CC/D3/0026/2026 REPUBLIC V, NANA KWADWOSAFO AKOFENA & 8 OTHERS FROMTHE CIRCUITCOURT TO THE HIGH COURT
We act as solicitors for Hon.Sarah Adwoa Safo, the complainant/victim herein and write pursuant to her instructions.
We are informed that on 21st June, 2026, our client was shot at multiple times whiles sitting in her vehicle in front of the house of her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, one of the Accused persons herein.
Our client, sustained very serious injuries on the left side of her face, back of the head, left ear, lower jaw and traces of gun bullets stuck in the skull of the head.
Visible gunshot marks were also identified on her Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. The Accused persons were charged with various offences including the use of offensive weapon to commit crime, contrary to section 70 of the Criminal Offences Act,1960 (Act29).
Respectfully, the offense of intentionally and unlawfully causing harm with use of offensive weapon is afirst degree felony and is triable on indictment before the High Court, not the Circuit Court.
The Circuit Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter, let alone consider an application for bail in respect of the Accused persons.
In the circumstances, it is legally untenable for the Police to have arraigned the Accused personsbefore the Adenta Circuit Court, which had no jurisdiction over the charges as listed
below.
Count One: Use of Offensive Weapon Contrary to Section 70 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Count Two: Possession of Explosive, Firearm and Ammunition Contrary to Section192 oftheCriminalOffencesAct,1960 (Act29)
Count Three: Use of Vigilante Groups and Activities Contrary to Section 3(5) of theVigilantismandRelatedOffencesAct,2019(Act999)
Count Four: Discharging Guns in Town Contrary to Section 209 of the Criminal Offences Act,1960 (Act29)
Count Five: Causing Unlawful Damage Contrary to Section 175 (1)(A) of the CriminalOffencesAct,1960 (Act29)
Inview of the aforesaid, we have been duly instructed to petition your office to call for the docket, review and have the case filed at the High Court for the matter to go through full trial in an expeditious manner.
We firmly believe that your office would act on this petition in an expeditious manner. We count on your usual co-operation.
Signed
Garry Nimako Marfo Esq.
Cc:
The Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of ]ustice
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)
The Presiding Judge, Circuit Court, Adenta
The Inspector-General of Police
The Director-General, Criminal Investigations Department
The Regional Commander, Greater Accra Regional Police Command
Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
