Chief Justice warns judges against abuse of power at swearing-in of 52 circuit court judges

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has cautioned judges against the misuse of judicial authority, warning that such conduct erodes public confidence in the courts and destroys the hope of justice for citizens seeking redress.

He delivered the warning on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the swearing-in ceremony of 52 newly appointed Circuit Court judges. The appointees include 40 magistrates elevated to the circuit bench and 12 lawyers appointed directly from the Bar.

Addressing the judges, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, competence and independence in the performance of their duties, noting that judicial decisions have profound consequences for individuals, families, businesses and communities.

“The authority you exercise is not self-derived,” the Chief Justice said. “It is power delegated by the people through the Constitution, and it must be exercised carefully, judiciously and strictly in accordance with the law.”

He stressed that any abuse of judicial power undermines the rule of law and weakens trust in the justice system, reminding the judges that litigants appear before the courts not merely with disputes, but with hope for fairness and justice.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie further encouraged the judges to deliver rulings that are clear, well-reasoned and firmly grounded in sound legal principles, while avoiding any conduct that could compromise their impartiality or create perceptions of impropriety.