Africa-Press – Ghana. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday called for the protection of free speech and a review of the remand order issued against “Baba Amando”, one of its communicators, following his arrest and court appearance.
Abubakar Yakubu, the Sunyani East Communications Officer of the NPP, popularly known as Baba Amando, was remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.
He has been charged with offences including offensive conduct, false publication, and the circulation of statements likely to incite fear and panic.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Mr Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary of the NPP, urged state institutions to uphold constitutional provisions on fundamental human rights, particularly the freedom of speech and expression.
He said the 1992 Constitution guaranteed the rights of citizens to express their views, stressing the need for those rights to be respected in the administration of justice.
Mr Frimpong called on the media, civil society organisations and the public to remain vigilant and contribute to safeguarding democratic principles in the country.
He noted that the party had observed a pattern of arrests involving individuals who publicly criticised government’s activities and urged the authorities to ensure due process in handling such matters.
“At the end of the day, we are all one people. We have all agreed that as a country, we don’t want to live under the dictatorial rule, but under the constitutional rule and rule of law,” he said.
Mr Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, called for a review of the court’s decision to remand Baba Amando and appealed for adherence to due process.
He said Yakubu had honoured police invitations prior to his arraignment and argued that due consideration should be given to such cooperation in judicial proceedings.
Mr Boakye also called for an independent review of the circumstances surrounding the arrest and prosecution, and urged the appropriate authorities to ensure fairness and transparency in the handling of the case.
He appealed to the relevant institutions to uphold the rule of law and protect civil liberties in the country.
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