By Issah Olegor
New Patriotic Party (NPP) social media activist Efya Royal has been released from police custody after being granted GH¢20,000 police enquiry bail, following an intervention by Effiduase-Asokore Member of Parliament, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, and NPP Director of Legal Affairs, Gary Nimako.
Her release followed several hours of discussions and legal intervention at the Cantonments Police Station, where the two NPP figures reportedly worked late into the night to secure her freedom.
Efya Royal’s arrest had generated considerable attention among sections of the NPP and on social media, particularly after she reportedly became unreachable over the weekend.
Arrest Linked to Social Media Video
Information available indicates that Efya Royal was taken into police custody over allegations connected to a social media video she allegedly shared.
The video was originally posted by a TikTok content creator known as “Ghana Jollof” and reportedly contained insulting remarks directed at the First Lady.
Efya Royal is said to have been arrested in connection with the sharing of the material.
However, the circumstances surrounding her detention became a subject of controversy, with supporters and political figures questioning why she was held and demanding greater clarity from the security authorities.
Her disappearance from public contact over the weekend reportedly heightened concerns among family members and political associates, some of whom raised questions about her whereabouts.
Calls for Transparency
The situation subsequently triggered criticism from some NPP figures, who described the circumstances surrounding her detention as troubling and called for respect for her fundamental rights.
Among those who publicly expressed concern were NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, popularly known as COKA, and NPP activist Dennis Miracles Aboagye.
They criticised what they considered an excessive approach to dealing with social media-related offences and called on security agencies to rely on professional cyber-intelligence and investigative methods when dealing with online content.
The argument advanced by the critics was that individuals who share or circulate online material should be investigated within the framework of the law, rather than subjected to measures they believe could amount to intimidation or unnecessary use of force.
Intervention Secures Release
The matter took a new turn when Dr Nana Ayew Afriye and Gary Nimako intervened.
The two reportedly spent several hours at the Cantonments Police Station working to resolve the matter and facilitate Efya Royal’s release.
She was subsequently granted police enquiry bail in the sum of GH¢20,000.
