BY Daniel Bampoe
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has raised alarm over what it describes as growing political persecution and abuse of power following the arrest and remand of Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Abronye was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, where he was charged with offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.
The prosecution argued strongly against bail, insisting that the outspoken politician posed a flight risk.
His plea was not taken, and he was remanded into police custody until Friday, September 12.
Court Proceedings
Prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye Okuffo and Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, maintained that Abronye’s case had national security implications and required further investigation.
“If the accused is granted bail at this stage, it will hamper our ability to investigate this matter,” Inspector Lawer told the court.
He added that the accused had previously written to multiple foreign embassies seeking political asylum, making him a potential flight risk.
Chief Inspector Okuffo reinforced this point, stressing: “Looking at the nature of the accusation, it bothers on the security of the nation. We need to conduct a thorough investigation.”
Defense counsel, Daniel Nii Martey Addo, however, dismissed the prosecution’s claims, insisting that the accused voluntarily honored the police’s invitation and posed no risk of absconding.
He argued that the charges were misdemeanors and did not justify remand.
“The basis on which the prosecution is opposing bail is misconstrued. Bail should not be denied unless the accused is a proven flight risk,” he stated.
Nonetheless, the court upheld the prosecution’s request, remanding Abronye into custody.
He was brought to court in a Black Maria prison van.
Minority Caucus Reacts
Shortly after the ruling, the Minority Caucus in Parliament issued a strongly worded statement, signed by Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Second Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Weija-Gbawe.
The Caucus condemned the government for what it called the weaponisation of state institutions against critics and opposition figures.
“The circumstances surrounding Abronye DC’s arrest and detention reveal a disturbing pattern: the government is increasingly weaponising the judicial system against perceived opponents,” the statement said.
The Caucus linked Abronye’s arrest to a broader climate of repression, citing similar experiences of journalists, social commentators, and political opponents who have faced harassment and arbitrary detention.
They argued that the denial of bail was more punitive than judicial, particularly as Abronye had recently sought political asylum abroad, claiming persecution and threats to his life.
Broader Concerns
The Minority further accused the government of using political witch-hunts to distract from pressing national crises.
They highlighted ongoing communal violence in northern Ghana, which has claimed at least 31 lives, displaced nearly 50,000 people, and forced over 13,000 refugees into Côte d’Ivoire.
“That citizens must cross international borders to find safety is an indictment of a government that has abandoned its basic duty to protect its people,” the statement read.
Additionally, the Caucus expressed worry over reported threats to opposition leaders, including Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, and NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B).
According to them, some of these threats were openly issued by NDC executives without decisive action from law enforcement.
“This climate of intimidation is not a partisan issue; it is an assault on democracy itself,” the Caucus warned, calling on the Ghana Police Service to “rise above partisanship” and protect all political actors irrespective of affiliation.
The Minority Caucus accused the government of abandoning its constitutional obligations and steering Ghana towards authoritarianism.
They pledged to resist any attempts to erode the rule of law and democratic freedoms.
“Ghana’s democracy is too precious to be surrendered to fear, intimidation, and authoritarian excess,” the statement indicated.
