‘We’re not surprised by conduct of this government’ - Kodua slams IGP, EOCO over arrests

The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has cautioned the government and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) against what he described as the arbitrary arrest and intimidation of opposition members, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent for Ghana's democracy.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Tuesday, July 15, following the arrest of the party's communicator, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Kodua alleged that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government is deliberately targeting members of the opposition since assuming office.

"For us as a political party, we are not surprised by the conduct of this government. It has been their modus operandi since they came into government on 7th January 2025, whereby they take delight in arresting our members capriciously and arbitrarily," he said.

He warned that the governing party should be mindful that political power is temporary.

"I've always said that the NDC government needs to tread cautiously. Power is transient and no condition is permanent... If the NDC is establishing that the way they are arresting members of the New Patriotic Party has become the established norm, then so be it. The tables will turn one day," he stated.

Dennis Miracles Aboagye was arrested by EOCO upon his arrival at the Accra International Airport over investigations into an alleged financial and procurement-related irregularities involving about GH¢55 million during his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD).

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EOCO has explained that Aboagye was placed on a stop order list after investigators uncovered what it described as significant new findings in the case, but he had already travelled out of the country before the order was issued.

However, Kodua questioned the rationale behind arresting the former presidential spokesperson at the airport instead of inviting him for questioning, insisting that Aboagye had consistently honoured EOCO's invitations.

"So, why can't that same approach be extended? Rather, they have decided to arrest and detain him at a time when the person was returning to the country," he said.

The NPP General Secretary further alleged that Aboagye had not been informed of the reasons for his detention or interrogated at the time of his arrest.

"What were they seeking to achieve by detaining him on Saturday and Sunday without even telling him the reason why he had been arrested? Without even any interrogation?" he questioned.

While stressing that no one is above the law, Kodua maintained that due process must be followed whenever state agencies investigate alleged offences.

"If someone has committed a crime, it is your duty to arraign the person before a court of competent jurisdiction," he argued.

He also accused the government of engaging in a "public trial" by releasing allegations before charges are formally brought against suspects.

"Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. But the NDC always wants to indulge in public trial, whereby they churn out information and try to sway the minds of people to believe that the person has committed a crime when the person has not even been charged," he said.

Kodua urged the media and civil society organisations to remain impartial and insist on adherence to the rule of law.

"All that we are asking from you, the media and civil society, is that due process must be followed for the sanctity of our democracy," he added.

NA/VPO