Summons and warrants in Ghana case law.

2 passages from 1 case, grouped by point of law. Each passage is in the court's own words and links to the place in the judgment.

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Conditions for issuing a bench warrant

Before issuing a bench warrant, the court should be satisfied that the summons was properly served. Ghanaian law requires personal service of a criminal summons where practicable. (Section 63(1) of Act 30).

THE REPUBLIC vs. HIGH COURT (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) , EX PARTE: KEVIN EKOW TAYLOR AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2025] [2025] SLR (SC) 19 · Supreme Court · 2025 · TANKO AMADU JSC

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Distinction between a summons and a bench warrant

A summons is an official court document or notice ordering a person to appear at a specified time and place, without immediate arrest. In contrast, a bench warrant is an arrest warrant issued directly by a judge (“from the bench”) commanding law enforcement to detain and bring a person before the court. These tools serve similar purposes of securing attendance but operate under different legal circumstances.

THE REPUBLIC vs. HIGH COURT (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) , EX PARTE: KEVIN EKOW TAYLOR AND ATTORNEY-GENERAL [2025] [2025] SLR (SC) 19 · Supreme Court · 2025 · TANKO AMADU JSC

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More in Criminal Procedure: Appeals Bail Charges and indictments Disclosure Jurisdiction Practice directions Prosecution Retrial Sentencing Submission of no case to answer Trial Trial by jury Trial with assessors

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