Kpebu tells NPP to petition IGP for Abronye’s release
Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has urged the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to directly petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to intervene in the detention of the party’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.
Abronye was arrested on Monday, September 8, by the Ghana Police Service and subsequently remanded into custody by an Accra Circuit Court for one week to give prosecutors more time to investigate allegations against him. He has been charged with publishing false news and offensive conduct likely to disturb public peace, following comments he allegedly made on television about the IGP and his links to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview with Sammi Wiafe on Eyewitness News on Friday, September 12, Kpebu described the continued detention as unnecessary, stressing that the charges were minor and did not justify keeping a political party chairman behind bars for an extended period.
“This is a small offence. Somebody in the position of a regional chairman is not likely to abscond. This is a case that if senior people in the NPP go to beg the IGP, the case can be withdrawn,” Kpebu said.
He further pointed out that IGP Yohuno previously served as Deputy IGP under former President Akufo-Addo, suggesting that this history could make it easier for the NPP hierarchy to seek a favourable resolution.
“You can see that he has some rapport with the NPP. If the right calibre of seniors in the party go to beg the IGP, this case can be withdrawn. He cannot refuse if they beg. This is not a serious case that warrants him staying in custody for one more week. We cannot allow that to happen in this country. We are begging IGP Yohuno,” he added.
Kpebu emphasised that while the law must be respected, the discretion of the police and prosecutors should be exercised in a manner that upholds fairness and prevents the perception of political persecution.
