Using Bail as Punishment for Accused Persons Is Not Law” — Haruna Iddrisu‎

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Published: May 29 2026

Published at: 07:50am

Story by Saibu Terry

Former Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, has criticised the practice of using bail conditions as a form of punishment for accused persons, insisting that such actions go against the principles of justice and the rule of law.
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Speaking at final funeral rites of Dr. Mahama Shaibu in Tamale, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stalwart stressed that bail is intended to guarantee the appearance of accused persons before court and should not be turned into a punitive measure.

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‎According to Haruna Iddrisu, imposing excessive or unreasonable bail conditions undermines the constitutional rights of citizens and weakens public confidence in the country’s judicial processes.
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“Using bail as punishment for accused persons, that’s not law,” he stated, calling for fairness and balance in the administration of justice.
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The Education Minister further noted that the legal system must uphold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, adding that accused persons should not be subjected to unnecessary hardship before trial.

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His comments have sparked discussions among legal practitioners, political observers, and members of the public on the need for reforms within Ghana’s justice delivery system.
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Haruna Iddrisu has consistently been vocal on governance, constitutional rights, and legal reforms, often advocating for transparency and the protection of civil liberties in Ghana.