An arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the embattled National Chairman of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This follows his 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 criminalities, a situation which informed the police to invite him to assist in their investigations.
Citizens are by law enjoined to oblige such invitations under the circumstances.
Shortly after the invitation, which came on the heels of some unusual instances of arson on some state assets, NDC lawyers wrote a strongly-worded letter, daring the law enforcement establishment in the country.
Their client, they said, was not going to oblige the invitation.
In their letter to the police, the lawyers alluded to a so-called state of insecurity in the country and described the invitation as a mere smokescreen.
Many wondered whether the police would allow the politician to get away with his bluff after many weeks have elapsed.
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo is now on bail after he was slapped with charges earlier.
He made remarks about his party’s plans for the 2020 elections, which did not augur well for the country.
In the said audio recording, he allegedly highlighted strategies that the party would use to win the 2020 elections.
He also passed disparaging remarks about the clergy, as he spoke harshly about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Jean Mensa.
It took him many days before eventually obliging the invitation, but even then the appearance was given a garb of politics to make it look like he was merely being victimized or harassed because he is the chairman of the opposition NDC.
So many NDC supporters were prompted to show up at the CID headquarters in a political choreograph, and many observers wondered why criminalities by politicians are treated so lamely.
NDC Reaction
In a move preemptive of the recent police action, the Director of Communications of the party, Kakra Essamuah, told NDC supporters that “this statement is also issued to notify the teeming supporters of the National Democratic Congress to expect the imminent arrest of the National Chairman for the purpose of advancing the narrow political interests of President Akufo-Addo.”
His refusal not to honour the police invitation also stems from the stance of the party’s elders that he should defy the law enforcement agency.
Hiding In Hotels
The party chairman is said to be avoiding arrest, as he hops from one hotel to another.
The coming days would be interesting, as the police must stamp their authority as the state’s law enforcement agency.
Incitement
A segment of the statement, which was issued yesterday, has the traits of incitement.
“At all times, the National Chairman of our party can count on the solidarity of the entire membership of the party, and we stand solidly behind Hon Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo.”
Now that an arrest warrant has been issued for the arrest of the national chairman of the NDC, he remains a wanted person.
The law enforcement agents are now empowered with the court’s authority to smoke him out forcefully, if need be, since he cannot avoid them indefinitely.
<<Print>>