Adwoa Safo petitions A-G to move shooting case to High Court
Former MP Challenges Circuit Court’s Authority
Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has formally petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, requesting that a criminal case arising from an alleged shooting incident be transferred from the Adenta Circuit Court to the High Court. In a petition dated June 25, 2026, her legal team argues that the Circuit Court does not have the legal authority to hear the matter because the principal offence is a first-degree felony, which they say is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Lawyers Cite Jurisdictional Issues
According to the petition, the accused persons: including Adwoa Safo’s brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, and others :are facing several charges, including:
Use of offensive weapons
Possession of firearms and explosives
Participation in vigilante activities
Discharge of firearms in a public place
Causing unlawful damage
Her lawyers contend that the offence of intentionally and unlawfully causing harm with an offensive weapon is classified as a first-degree felony under Ghanaian law and must be tried on indictment before the High Court.
“Respectfully, 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 petition states.
Bail Jurisdiction Also Questioned
Beyond the trial itself, the legal team argues that the Circuit Court lacks the authority to entertain bail applications involving the accused persons, maintaining that all proceedings relating to the case should fall within the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Details of the Alleged Shooting
The petition stems from an alleged shooting incident that occurred on June 21, 2026. Adwoa Safo claims she was attacked while sitting in her vehicle outside the residence of her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, who is also among those facing charges. She reportedly sustained injuries to her face, ear, jaw, and the back of her head. According to the petition, bullet fragments remain lodged in her skull. Her Toyota Land Cruiser Prado also allegedly suffered damage during the incident.
Arrests and Bail
Following investigations, Adwoa Safo’s brother and eight other individuals were arrested and arraigned before the Adenta Circuit Court. The court granted all the accused persons bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 each with two sureties pending further proceedings.
Request to the Attorney-General
In the petition, Adwoa Safo’s lawyers are asking the Attorney-General to call for the police docket, review the charges, and have the case refiled before the High Court. They argue that transferring the matter would ensure the case is handled by a court with the appropriate jurisdiction and facilitate what they describe as a full, fair, and expeditious trial.
