Saani Mahmoud Abdul-Rasheed

SAANI MAHMOUD ABDUL-RASHEED, ESQ., is a seasoned Ghanaian legal practitioner and member of the Ghana Bar Association with over a decade of experience in criminal defence, litigation, and public interest law. He currently practices at Dery & Co, where he serves as a Defence Attorney, with a particular focus on appellate litigation and complex criminal defence cases.

Prior to his role at Dery & Co., he dedicated nine years of service as a Legal Aid Officer (Public Defender) with the Legal Aid Commission, where he also served as the Acting Head of Criminal Litigation in the Greater Accra Region. During this period, he played a critical role in the Justice for All Programme, advocating for the rights of remand prisoners and securing landmark acquittals for wrongfully convicted individuals through strategic appellate advocacy. His successful representation in these cases has had a significant impact on Ghana’s human rights and criminal justice landscape.

Mr. Abdul-Rasheed has also served as In-House Counsel at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), providing advisory services and legal representation for victims of abuse, and led the legal review taskforce under the Justice for All Programme.

Also, his experience extends to serving as Retained Counsel for Crown Medical Centre, where he provides ongoing legal and compliance advisory services.

He holds a Barrister-at-Law (BL) Certificate from the Ghana School of Law, an LLB from the University of Ghana Law Faculty, and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science and Archaeology) from the University of Ghana. He is also a Makwanyane Fellow (2019), having participated in a distinguished training programme by Cornell Law School on the death penalty and public defence.

Beyond litigation, Mr. Abdul-Rasheed has served on various boards, including as a Board Member and Head of Constitutional Reforms at NORSAC, where he contributed to policy advocacy and institutional governance.

With proven expertise in criminal litigation, due diligence, legal research, and compliance, his ability to manage complex legal matters with integrity and diligence continues to distinguish him as a formidable attorney and a committed advocate for justice.