The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is demanding an immediate release of the Spokesperson for the Bawumia Campaign Team Dennis Miracles Aboagye. Mr. Aboagye was arrested by EOCO officials at the Accra International Airport. According to Accra News sources the arrest is linked to the tenure of Miracles as Executive Secretary for the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization (IMCC). Dennis Miracles Aboagye’s arrest comes hours after he declared his intention to contest as the National Director of Communication for the NPP.
In a statement, General Secretary of the party Justin Frimpong Kodua alleged Miracles has been denied access to his lawyers with his whereabouts unknown. He called for his immediate release or be charged and placed before a judge in the courts.
According to him, the development is abuse of power and intimidation against a fierce critic of the Mahama administration.
“Let us be clear about what this is. It is not law enforcement. It is intimidation. Dennis Miracles Aboagye is one of the loudest and most effective critics of this government. He has asked hard questions about galamsey. He has challenged this administration’s record. He announced his candidacy for a leadership position in our party only hours ago. And now he sits in EOCO custody.”
He added: “That EOCO release Dennis Miracles Aboagye immediately, or charge him and put him before a court of competent jurisdiction as the Constitution requires.
That he be granted unrestricted access to his lawyers and his family, without further delay”
Below is the full statement from Justin Frimpong Kodua:
RELEASE Dennis Miracles Aboagye NOW
Officers of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) with the help of Immigration officers arrested Dennis Miracles Aboagye at the airport and took into custody. Since then they have denied his lawyers access and his whereabouts is not disclosed with no charges preferred.
Let us be clear about what this is. It is not law enforcement. It is intimidation.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye is one of the loudest and most effective critics of this government. He has asked hard questions about galamsey. He has challenged this administration’s record. He announced his candidacy for a leadership position in our party only hours ago. And now he sits in EOCO custody.
The NPP therefore demands:
That EOCO release Dennis Miracles Aboagye immediately, or charge him and put him before a court of competent jurisdiction as the Constitution requires.
That he be granted unrestricted access to his lawyers and his family, without further delay. Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution is not a suggestion.
That this government end the pattern of politically motivated invitations, arrests and detentions targeted at members of the New Patriotic Party.
We say to EOCO and to those directing it: institutions of state are not private weapons. Ghanaians are watching, and Ghana’s institutions will outlive this government.
To our members: stay calm, stay lawful, stay united. Intimidation has never silenced this party, and it will not begin today.
