Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has formally challenged the jurisdiction of the Adenta Circuit Court over a criminal case stemming from an alleged shooting incident, urging the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to transfer the matter to the High Court.
In a petition dated June 25, 2026, lawyers for the former legislator argued that the Circuit Court lacks the legal authority to hear the case because the principal offence is a first-degree felony, which is triable only by the High Court.
The petition follows an alleged shooting attack on Adwoa Safo on June 21 while she was seated in her Toyota Land Cruiser Prado outside the residence of her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, who is among nine accused persons facing charges in connection with the incident.
According to the petition, the former MP sustained serious injuries to the left side of her face, the back of her head, her left ear and lower jaw after she was allegedly shot at multiple times. Her lawyers further claim that bullet fragments remain lodged in her skull, while her vehicle also suffered visible gunshot damage.
Following investigations, Adwoa Safo’s brother and eight others were arrested and arraigned before the Adenta Circuit Court, where they were granted bail of GH¢500,000 each with two sureties.
The accused persons face charges including the use of an offensive weapon, possession of explosives, firearms and ammunition, use of vigilante groups and activities, discharging firearms in town, and causing unlawful damage.
However, Adwoa Safo’s legal team maintains that the charge of intentionally and unlawfully causing harm with the use of an offensive weapon is a first-degree felony and, under Ghanaian law, should 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 stated.
The lawyers further argued that the Circuit Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case, including hearing and determining bail applications involving the accused persons.
They have therefore requested the Attorney-General to call for the police docket, review the matter, and refile it before the High Court to ensure what they described as a full and expeditious trial.
“In view 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,” the petition added.
Copies of the petition were also forwarded to the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Presiding Judge of the Adenta Circuit Court, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, and Sarah Adwoa Safo.
