Is The BNI Way Above The Law?

The operatives of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) by their unethically unprofessional posture seem to be way above the laws of Ghana. This has become possible because of the roguish nature of the government we have in place in Ghana at the moment. The government has no respect for the law hence the many lawless activities ongoing in the country at the moment.

I have observed many instances where the agents of the BNI have behaved very irresponsibly. They think the government is on their side so they can behave in a manner far worse than even the behaviour of the animals in the wild. This attitude of theirs coupled with the government's cluelessness, incompetence and excessive fondness for perpetrating and perpetuating corruption through collusive payment of judgment debts to their cronies including the Ghanaian swindler of the Century, Alfred Agbesi Woyome, the BNI has almost become a laughing stock.

They are solidly behind President Mahama's NDC government in her execution of "divide and rule tactics" as well as her implementation of selective justice in Ghana. The BNI do not give a fuck about the continuous degrading socio-politico-economic state of Ghana under the most corrupt, incompetent and clueless President in the annals of Ghana politics.

Of all their breaches of the laws of the land, behaving as though they were miles above the laws of Ghana, the most recent deplorable behaviour of the BNI has had me fuming with anger. A court on Thursday 24th March 2016 granted bail to some three South African nationals arraigned on some farcical charges of training some Ghanaians on Personal Security Detail without the appropriate work permit hence are probably mercenaries as opined by toady Koku Anyidohu, the Deputy General Secretary of NDC.

The BNI disobeyed the court order to them to release the three accused South African nationals to the registrar of the court to process them for bail. They said they would still hold them in their cells because of an order issued to them from above. This abuse of power by our BNI under the pretext of order from above is what really gets to me.

I once queried, and I am querying again, what is that order from above and who is issuing those orders? It must be pointed out to the BNI with all the security agents in Ghana inclusive that there is nobody above in Ghana that can nullify a court's order as it was in the case of the three South African nationals. Yes, the President can grant clemency to people condemned to death. Such an act, commuting a criminal's death sentence to life imprisonment is permissible under the 1992 Ghana Constitution and if he avails him or herself of that constitutional right, they are still acting within, but not flouting, the law.

However, the President has absolutely no right to order the BNI from the comfort zone of the presidency (order from above) to disobey a court's order. This is so when we live in a democracy. It is only under military, dictatorial or autocratic regimes that such nonsensical abusive orders can be issued. Again, such ridiculous orders could be issued if Ghana was a total monarchy as it is deceptively the belief of the Ceremonial Head of Asanteman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II hence selling lands and pocketing the money where and when he has no right.

The BNI by their behaviour can be said to be in contempt of court. They have disrespected the court. Do they think they are bigger than the law as interpreted by the court? They can be bigger than the court only in their nightmarish dreams.

The BNI operatives should uphold the laws of the land. They should see themselves as working for the collective interests of Ghanaians but not for the interests of one selfish or corrupt individual called the President and his/her cronies.

It is a shame, the behaviour of the BNI.

Rockson Adofo