'This is not justice, it's intimidation' – Elvis Darko condemns recent arrest of Adenta Kumi

A media practitioner, Elvis Darko, has expressed concern over the recent arrest of Alfred Ababio Kumi, popularly known as Adenta Kumi, an NPP activist and former Parliamentary Candidate of the party, describing it as an attack on the freedom of speech.

Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV and monitored by GhanaWeb on Monday, May 26, 2025, he stated that the action by the National Intelligence Bureau undermines democracy.

“If someone feels defamed by what Kumi has said in his petition, the law provides a civil route, not criminal charges, we are in a democracy. You don’t arrest a person for petitioning the president. That’s intimidation, not justice", he remarked.

He warned that clamping down on dissenting views could set a dangerous precedent, especially when the accused person followed the laid-down democratic process.

“When someone petitions the president and raises issues, let those accused respond through proper legal channels. You don’t suppress speech through arrest", he added.

Adenta Kumi was arrested by NIB operatives on Friday, May 23, 2025, after submitting a petition to President John Dramani Mahama.

The petition called for the dissolution of a committee investigating the potential removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

In the petition, he alleged that committee members, Justices Pwamang, Adibu-Asiedu, and Yonni Kulendi were spotted meeting with Thaddeus Sory, the lawyer for petitioner Daniel Ofori, at a restaurant in Accra.

He claimed that discussions concerning the petition took place at the meeting, casting doubt on the committee’s impartiality.

A video purportedly capturing the alleged meeting has since gone viral, though its authenticity and context are the subject of public scrutiny.

Adenta Kumi has been subsequently charged with publication of false news.

Meanwhile, the party has accused the NDC-led government of engaging in political witch-hunting.

Following the determination of a prima facie case in the three petitions asking for the removal from office of Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, President Mahama has suspended her and set up a five-member committee to inquire into the petitions.

In the interim, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has assumed the role.

JKB/SEA