NDC Chairman Ofosu Ampofo arrested

The National Democratic Congress Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has been arrested. 

Sources at the police headquarters disclosed the arrest to Joy News and added that a search is being carried out at the residence of the Chairman. 

The arrest comes after the Mr Ampofo’s refusal to honour an invitation to report to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, to assist in investigations into the recent spate of kidnappings and arson in the country. 

According to the correspondence inviting him, a suspect accused him of being behind the kidnappings in the country, a situation which informed the police to invite him to assist with their investigations. 

But the Chairman declined the invitation. His lawyers described the invitation as “political harassment” and “intimidation.”

NDC dares police 

On Monday, a warrant was issued for Mr Ampofo’s arrest but members of his party have vowed to support their Chairman and will resist any attempts to arrest him. 

During the party’s 27th anniversary celebrations, Greater Accra Chairman of the party, Joseph Ade Coker dared the police to go ahead with what he says is an attempt to intimidate Mr Ofosu Ampofo. 

He said: “We all know what is happening in this country and we are waiting for anybody who thinks that he will come and do something that is untoward…he will see the might of NDC. 

“I am positive that in the days coming all of us will marshal ourselves and make sure that we show the might of NDC. I think for a long time we’ve become very dormant so it’s about time we bare our teeth,” he said.

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Mr Ofosu Ampofo is already standing trial for conspiracy to assault a public officer and conspiracy to cause harm after he was secretly recorded allegedly outlining plans to cause mayhem. 

Heightened insecurity 

Following his arrest, NDC MP, James Agalga in an interview on The Pulse on Joy News said the arrest is an irresponsible move and an attempt to intimidate and harass the NDC. 

“We will not allow ourselves to be intimidated or harassed,” he told Gifty Andoh Appiah. 

He believes the Chairman’s rights are being trampled upon and questioned why the police will not allow the case in court to end before inviting him to assist in investigations for a kidnapping case they had already dropped.

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In Mr Agalaga’s view, government is trying to blame the state of insecurity in the country on the innocent Chairman. 

“We will not countenance that, the National Chairman has rights and he is in court…if they feel they have uncovered fresh evidence, let them amend their charge sheet. 

“But they cannot continue to use the state apparatus the way they are trying to use it….to harass and intimidate our Chairman,” he added. 

According to Mr Agalaga, the Chairman’s arrest will only heighten the state of insecurity in the country.