By Issah Olegor
Independent Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has waded into the controversy surrounding the arrest and detention of Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe Abronye, describing the action as a dangerous step towards authoritarianism.
In a brief but pointed statement, A Plus, who sits with the Majority Caucus aligned to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), condemned the arrest as a blatant attack on free speech.
“Arresting and detaining people for insults is unacceptable. It is wrong—very, very wrong! #FreeAbronye,” the outspoken MP wrote on his Facebook page.
The Arrest and Charges
Abronye was arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, after being charged with offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace.
Prosecutors argued that the controversial NPP regional chairman posed a flight risk due to his prior petitions for political asylum at foreign embassies.
Led by Chief Inspector Ebenezer Teye Okuffo and Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, the prosecution insisted that the case carried national security implications that warranted Abronye’s continued detention.
“Looking at the nature of the accusation, it bothers on the security of the nation. We need to conduct a thorough investigation,” Chief Inspector Okuffo told the court.
Defense lawyer Daniel Nii Martey Addo pushed back, arguing that Abronye’s decision to honor a police invitation voluntarily demonstrated he was no flight risk.
He further noted that the charges amounted to misdemeanors and did not justify incarceration.
“The basis on which the prosecution is opposing bail is misconstrued. Bail should not be denied unless the accused is a proven flight risk,” Addo told the court.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the court sided with the prosecution and remanded Abronye into custody until Friday, September 12.
He was transported to court in a Black Maria prison van, a detail that heightened political tensions.
Minority Caucus Condemnation
Following the ruling, the Minority Caucus in Parliament issued a strongly worded statement signed by Weija-Gbawe MP and Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
The statement accused the government of weaponising state institutions against critics and opposition voices.
“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 Minority declared.
They cited previous instances of journalists, political commentators, and opposition leaders being harassed, detained, or threatened.
According to the Caucus, the denial of bail in Abronye’s case was punitive and designed to silence him rather than ensure justice.
The Minority also warned that Abronye’s arrest was part of a broader climate of repression.
