The attorney representing four National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency executives in Effutu, who were apprehended at court yesterday, characterizes the incident as a display of political influence.
The executives, comprising the constituency’s chairman, youth organizer, women organizer, and treasurer, were taken into custody while accompanying nine individuals arrested during a protest on Tuesday.
Initially apprehended on Tuesday, the nine suspects faced charges following a demonstration by residents protesting what they perceive as a deliberate government effort to sell the Winneba Ramsar site. Traditionally used for deer hunting during the Aboakyire festival, there are concerns about its potential conversion for lithium mining.
Appearing before the Agona Swedru Circuit Court on Wednesday, December 6, presided over by His Worship Jonathan Nunoo, the NDC executives showed solidarity with the suspects.
In an interview with Citi News, the lawyer representing the four, Mohammed Kofi Twumasi Naya, expressed frustration with the lack of a clear explanation from the police regarding the arrests.
“Regarding the demonstration, I am disheartened because it is our constitutional right under Article 21 of the 1992 Constitution. The demonstrators duly notified the police in accordance with the law. If the police had any concerns about the demonstration, they had the right to seek an injunction through the court. However, they opted to provide protection for the demonstrators. Unfortunately, some individuals threw stones, leading to the arrests. Concerning the constituency executives, there is no evidence indicating their involvement in stone-throwing or wielding any objects. Consequently, it appears to be a show of power rather than a justifiable arrest,” said Mohammed Kofi Twumasi Naya.