Minority demands immediate release of Abronye

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has demanded the immediate release of Kwame Baffoe, well known as Abronye, from BNI custody.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Afenyo-Markin described the continued detention of the New Patriotic Party Bono Regional Chairman as unconstitutional and unjustified.

“First Mr Kwame Baffoe must be released from BNI custody immediately. His detention is constitutionally indefensible and must end today,” he stated.

The Minority Leader said the opposition’s legal team would challenge the prosecution and the application of specific provisions of the Criminal Offences Act against political speech.

“Second, our legal team will mount full constitutional challenge to this prosecution including challenge to the application of Sections 207 and 208 of Act 29 against political speech where civil liberties are available and adequate,” he said.

Afenyo-Markin further announced plans to trigger parliamentary scrutiny into the handling of the case once Parliament resumes sitting.

“Third, Parliament’s Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee shall upon the assumption of Parliament be made through an application to summon the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of BNI to publicly account for every decision taken in this matter,” he added.

Abronye is facing charges of publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace.

The charges stem from alleged remarks he made against a Circuit Court judge in a video published online. Prosecutors claim he accused the judge of handling political cases and attempted to incite public anger against her.

The case has generated strong reactions from sections of the opposition New Patriotic Party, with party officials insisting the remand period is excessive and politically motivated.

Earlier during the press conference, Afenyo-Markin criticised the Judiciary over the continued detention, describing the situation as embarrassing and urging Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and senior judges to intervene.

The Minority Leader maintained that constitutional rights and civil liberties must be protected regardless of political affiliation, warning that the opposition would continue to challenge what it sees as abuses in the handling of the matter.