Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has described the detention of Bono Regional New Patriotic Party (NPP) Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, as a constitutional violation that must be strongly condemned.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Mr Afenyo-Markin argued that the continued remand of the outspoken politician raises serious concerns about constitutional protections relating to bail and freedom of expression.
According to him, portions of Ghana’s criminal procedure laws appear inconsistent with the constitutional powers of the courts regarding bail decisions.
“The general tenor of Act 96, which deals with the grant of bail, gives very clear indication that the court has discretion to grant bail to persons appearing before it in criminal cases upon conditions stated therein. The abstention on granting of bail in section 97 is therefore odd, and an unnecessary interference with the court,” he stated.
He further condemned the legal process involving Abronye DC, insisting that criminal prosecution over comments made in the public domain undermines constitutional freedoms.
“What has been done to Abronye DC is a profound constitutional wrong and must be condemned without equivocation, without delay. The arrest itself, the prosecution and remand of a citizen for words spoken in the public domain is not justice, it is prosecution,” Mr Afenyo-Markin added.
The Minority Leader stressed that although the NPP does not support irresponsible public commentary, Ghana’s laws already provide civil remedies for reputational damage without resorting to criminal sanctions.
“The party does not condone irresponsible speech. We never did, and we never will. But public discourse carries responsibility and we believe deeply in that. Where speech damages a person’s reputation, Ghanaian law provides a civil remedy for it,” he said.
Abronye DC was remanded into custody for two weeks on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, as part of ongoing investigations into alleged misinformation and offensive public remarks.
He was initially arrested on Monday, April 13, over allegations of offensive conduct, false publication, and statements considered likely to incite fear and panic. Although he was later granted bail while investigations continued, he was subsequently rearrested as authorities intensified their probe.
The NPP has since questioned the legality and constitutional basis of his continued detention, describing the process as deeply concerning.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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