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Lawyer and human rights activist Oliver Barker-Vormawor has called for the trial of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to be discontinued, describing it as “embarrassing” to Ghana. Abronye DC has been remanded in custody by the Adenta Circuit Court to the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) pending the final determination of his case, in which he faces charges of publishing false news.
On his Facebook page, Barker-Vormawor urged, “File Nolle Prosequi in this matter! This is just embarrassing.” He further warned that the government must not allow “rampant speech-related arrests” to continue unchecked, suggesting that the Attorney-General issue an Executive Instrument to limit the prosecutorial powers of the police under Sections 208 and 76 of the Electronic Communications Act.
The NPP also condemned the detention, describing it as an attack not only on Abronye DC but on every Ghanaian who values freedom, justice, and the right to speak truth to power. In a statement, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong said, “We reject it, we condemn it, and we will resist it through every lawful and democratic means available to us.” The party accused the Presidency of orchestrating the arrest, asserting that opposition officials are being harassed, charges are being fabricated, and “the fingerprints of the Presidency are all over this shameful enterprise.”
Former Vice President and 2024 NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia also criticized the detentions, describing them as politically motivated and aimed at undermining democracy and free speech. He highlighted the arrest and release of social media commentator David Essandoh over comments about the return of power outages (“dumsor”), and Abronye DC’s detention as evidence of an “unholy collaboration” between the Executive, state investigative bodies, and some elements of the judiciary to intimidate opposition members.
“These actions undermine free speech and are setting Ghana’s democracy backwards,” Dr. Bawumia said. He warned that public officials involved in such abuses of state power would eventually be held accountable. He urged NPP supporters to remain resolute, continue holding the government accountable, and resist intimidation. “We fought hard for this democracy, and as a party, we cannot surrender it to intimidation from those who possess temporary power today,” he added.
Story by Efua Nessa
Source: Loco tv