John Dumelo would’ve been arrested – Lawyer Ayenini reacts to ‘arbitrary’ application of law in Lydia Alhassan’s food sharing saga

Journalist and private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Ayenini has bemoaned what he describes as the arbitrary application of law enforcement in the country, specifically in relation to electoral laws.

Speaking on the recent allegations of voter inducement against the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Mr. Ayenini said the law would have taken its course if the suspect were her opponent.

“…here this law is observed in breach; you and I know that is what is going on because, for example, what happened with Lydia Alhassan, and I said yesterday, she ought to have been arrested. But you know she is not. Well, I know that if it were John Dumelo who had done it, he would have been arrested. That is the arbitrary and selective nature in which we do our laws here,” he stated.

During a Special Voting exercise organized by the Electoral Commission ahead of the December 7, 2024, general election, Madam Lydia Alhassan was captured on video handing what was suspected to be food packs to some voters who were in a queue to cast their ballots.

The incident has drawn condemnation and heavy criticism from various quarters, including Samson Ayenini, who has called for the arrest of Lydia Alhassan.

According to the legal practitioner, the action of the MP breached the law, including Section 35 of PNDC Law 284 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992.

GA/EK

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