Razak Kuampa Avoliya, a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been remanded by the Asokwa Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region.
He was previously charged on Thursday for his remarks over the weekend. The court stated that he could not be granted bail since the situation had national security implications. The case has thus been postponed until Wednesday, February 14th.
After being detained by the regional party leadership, the accused was taken into custody by the Police on Wednesday.
According to reports, the NDC youth organizer in Suame had earlier made comments that were thought to induce a potential reprisal of election-related state-sponsored violence.
The Police responded by issuing a statement on Monday regarding his remarks to attack members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the run-up to the 2024 General Elections.
In a statement condemning the event, the Police asked political actors to exercise restraint in their speech and language to maintain the peace and security of the nation. Mr Avoliya was also listed as wanted by the Police.
Evans Amankwaah, the suspect’s lawyer, noted that his client and the NDC were not perturbed by the detention and that they were ready to comply with the laws as they went to court on Thursday. Mr Avoliya was charged with offensive conduct. Violence in any form, whether in action or speech must be totally abhorred by all and sundry. We have seen the devastating effects of violence during the 2020 general elections where 8 innocent people lost their lives. This unfortunate incident under the watch of President Nana Addo Dankwa AKuffo Addo marred Ghana’s record of having peaceful and event-free elections. Ghanaians therefore, do not want another episode of such electoral violence therefore the police had to take the necessary action regarding Avoliya’s comments.
Unfair Treatments
Despite the security services’ efforts to punish and deter acts of violence, they appear to be biased in their treatment of citizens caught in the trap of inciting or perpetuating violence in the country. As a democratic state, we practise the rule of law and therefore, nobody must be above the law. Razak Avoliya was charged with offensive conduct while many others including party officials from the camp of the NPP have made vilifying comments inciting violence against members of the opposition NDC and some tribes with no legal action being taken against them.
Is the police committed to protecting the national interest or rather the interest of the ruling party? Our security services must be more objective in their dealings with defaulters of the law irrespective of their party affiliation or tribe. In a bid to ensure law and order in the country, justice must not be undermined.
Priscilla Fumadorh
Priscilla is an entrepreneur and a creative communicator who loves to communicate through writing. She is passionate about national economic issues and does not miss a chance to offer her opinions on them for the good of the country.
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