Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the continued detention of Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, describing it as a violation of constitutional principles and an attack on free expression.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Mr. Afenyo-Markin argued that aspects of Ghana’s bail laws, particularly provisions under Act 30 and Act 96, are inconsistent with constitutional protections relating to personal liberty and judicial discretion.
According to him, the law clearly grants courts the discretion to grant bail in criminal matters under stated conditions.
He stated, “The general tenor of Act 96, which deals with the grant of bail, gives a very clear indication that the court has discretion to grant bail to persons appearing before it in criminal cases upon conditions stated therein.”
He further described restrictions under Section 97 as unnecessary interference with the courts.
The Minority Leader maintained that while the NPP does not support reckless public commentary, criminal prosecution should not be used as a tool to punish speech made in the public domain.
He noted that Ghana’s legal system already provides civil remedies through defamation actions for reputational harm.
Afenyo-Markin stressed, “What has been done to Abronye DC is a profound constitutional wrong, and must be condemned without equivocation, without delay.”
He added, “The arrest itself, the prosecution and remand of a citizen for words spoken in the public domain is not justice, it is prosecution.”
Abronye DC was remanded for two weeks on May 13 as investigations continue into allegations of false publication and statements allegedly capable of causing fear and panic.
He was initially arrested on April 13, granted bail, and later rearrested as investigations intensified.
The New Patriotic Party has since questioned the legality and fairness of the process surrounding his detention.
