Ntim Fordjour’s arrest was halted after Afenyo-Markin’s plea – Vanderpuye
National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has revealed that the recent operation by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to arrest the Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour was suspended following the plea by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, April 10, Vanderpuye stated that the Minority Leader pleaded with National Security to allow him present the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, to their office by 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 11.
According to him, this plea was accepted, leading to the suspension of the operation.
“What happened yesterday is not news. The Member of Parliament was not in Parliament as the operation was going on. The invitation through the Speaker is only when there is an invitation. The fact that you are a Member of Parliament does not absolve you from being arrested, but it is only a privilege that you have and that privilege is only exercised through the Speaker,” he explained.
Vanderpuye described the move of the minority at the residence of Ntim Fordjour as a “dramatic” adding that it was “a disruptive activity.”
He further disclosed that the Minority Leader had previously reached an agreement with government officials to voluntarily present any of his members to National Security whenever needed.
“What happened yesterday was a drama because the Minority Leader asked him whether he has not agreed with government officials on how to exercise this right. He had an agreement with our people that at any point in time, any of his people are needed, he will voluntarily present them.”
“Afenyo-Markin yesterday pleaded that he will present Ntim Fordjour today at 10 a.m. That is what led to the abrogation of the operation. Other than that, all of them would have spent the night in his house and held a vigil to prevent the National Security from exercising their duty. And because we are a listening government, we allowed and accepted his plea,” Vanderpuye added.
Officials from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) stormed the residence of Rev. John Ntim Fordjour to arrest him, following allegations he made concerning two suspicious flights that landed at the Kotoka International Airport, under circumstances suggesting possible drug trafficking and money laundering.
Source: channel1news