Bawumia Visits Ntim Fordjour After NIB Fiasco, Fires Challenge at President Mahama
- Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia paid a visit to the MP for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, after the raid on his home
- National Investigations Bureau personnel tried to arrest the parliamentarian following drug smuggling claims he had made
- During his visit with Fordjour, Bawumia urged supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remain calm amid the tension
Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the MP for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, following the raid on his home by National Investigations Bureau personnel.
Bawumia reiterated his call to President John Mahama to reign in his security personnel amid several high-profile actions taken on appointees of the previous government.
Source: Facebook
In a statement, Bawumia stressed that Ghana’s democracy was hinged on due process and the rule of law.
The former vice president also urged party members to remain calm amid what he called political persecution.
He also noted that Fordjour was in high spirits following the raid.
"Last night, following the attempted raid by some alleged officials of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), I visited Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and Ranking Member of Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior. Rev. Fordjour was in high spirits and undaunted. I urge all Party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and law-abiding in this period of unfortunate political persecution."
"I wish to reiterate my earlier submission to the President, H.E John Dramani Mahama, to immediately rein in his security operatives. State institutions must not be reduced to political tools used to harass and intimidate opponents. Ghanaians will not accept this descent into lawlessness and fear. Our democracy is hinged on due process and rule of law."
Fordjour in turn expressed gratitude to Bawumia in a statement of his own.
He called the state action against him lawless and an attempt to silence him.
“Thank you very much HE Dr Mahamudu Bawumia @MBawumia for the visit to my residence this evening following the politically-motivated lawless act of harassment in the attempt of the NDC government to gag MPs from exercising their legitimate oversight."
About the raid on Ntim Fordjour's home
On April 9, National Intelligence Bureau officials raided Fordjour's residence in Accra in an attempt to arrest the legislator.
This followed the drug smuggling and money laundering claims he made about a couple of flights that landed in Ghana in March.
The flights, an air ambulance and a private jet, allegedly remained in the country for several days before their departure, sparking suspicions.
Source: Twitter
Mahama directed a probe into the drug smuggling claims and instructed relevant security agencies to collaborate with the Assin South MP on the matter.
However, Fordjour has refused to cooperate, according to the government, leading to a public spat with the MP ahead of the National Intelligence Bureau raid.
The government maintained that the MP had fabricated his claims.
NPP MPs intervene during Ntim Fordjour raid
YEN.com.gh reported that the Minority in Parliament foiled attempts by the National Investigations Bureau to arrest Fordjour at his home.
The minority reportedly stormed the MP's home after the reports that the security personnel were trying to arrest their caucus member.
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Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Delali Adogla-Bessa (Head of Current Affairs and Politics Desk) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.
Bruce Douglas (Senior Copyeditor) Bruce Douglas has 13 years of experience in community media, including coverage of sports, human interest, crime and politics.
