In what appears to be a looming tit-for-tat agenda, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) kingpin, Ato Ahwoi, has cautioned the leaders of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to play it fair or risk prosecutions and possible jail terms if the main opposition party wins the 2020 polls.
According to the septuagenarian politician, appointees of the current administration will be haunted in equal measure in response to what he said was ill-treatment and persecution of some NDC linchpins.
“Nana Akufo-Addo and his men should be prepared to be paid back in their own coin when the NDC wins power in the 2020 general elections.
“Whatever the NPP does, we will win the elections in 2020, but when we win, we will do more than what they are doing to us,” Mr. Ahwoi fumed in an interview with Salifu Maase alias Mugabe on “Inside Politics”, a current affairs political programme aired on Power FM, and Accra-based FM station.
Mr. Ahwoi said the party had observed how the Akufo-Addo-led government is using state security agencies to persecute some key members of the main opposition party in the country.
Reacting to the arrest of NDC National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Mr. Ahwoi said the party was not afraid of the “tactics of the police to divert attention from the hardships and the lies of the government”.
He added that the NDC could do same to key members of the NPP when the party wins power at the next elections.
Mr. Ahwoi gave the assurance to NDC members, saying the party will make sure that acts of reprisal are played back to the NPP “when the NDC takes over power” in 2021.
His assertions came a day after the NDC National Chairman was picked up last Tuesday by the police for interrogation.
Hundreds of NDC supporters clad in red gathered at the Police Headquarters to support their Chairman, following his detention, which the party said was fuelled by some political elements in power.
When asked if he was serious about what he had said, Mr. Ahwoi retorted in Akan,” we can do even worse than what they are doing.”
Still fuming, he added that certain dangerous statements made by some NPP members made can be used against them tomorrow when they are not in power.
“Crime has no expiry date,” he reiterated, vowing that the NPP will be pursued in the same manner they are disgracing the NDC national chairman.
He also urged members of the NDC to be strong and firm, assuring them that the “political persecution” of Mr. Ampofo cannot intimidate the leadership of the party.
Mr. Ahwoi stressed that party supporters should not worry but go about their normal businesses and support the party at all times.
Ampofo’s Arrest
Mr. Ampofo was picked up at Labone, a suburb of Accra last week Tuesday afternoon.
The police had obtained a warrant from a High Court in Accra to arrest Mr. Ampofo to answer for various acts of kidnappings in the country.
He was released from police custody after being detained for about an hour.
All electronic gadgets belonging to Mr. Ampofo were seized for forensic investigations before he was released.
The seized gadgets were expected to help the police to determine whether the NDC chairman had any relationship with some suspects detained over kidnapping cases and market fires in the country recently.
Mr. Ampofo’s arrest was anticipated because he had earlier declined a May 7 invitation to assist investigations into the allegations of arson and kidnapping when the CID said some suspects had mentioned his name as an accomplice.
Court Case
Already, Mr. Ampofo is standing trial for allegedly setting out a road map of criminal activities, including violence against the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa and the Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante.
In a leaked audio, which he described as “doctored” to tarnish his image, a voice that sounds like him is heard allegedly talking about plans to kidnap people and set places on fire.
Last week, an Accra High Court ruled that the charge of assault on a public officer filed against Mr. Ampofo was right in law.
This was after his lawyers had filed an application with a case that the charges were defective because the prosecution failed to provide any particulars on them, and prayed the court to dismiss those counts.
However, the June 7 ruling by Justice Samuel Asiedu held that the said defects argued by the defense were not fatal and that the charges were recognizable under the law.
Source: The Custodian
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
***barred word*** Gray hair old man who has lost his sense of reasoning, you think we are still in the revolution era where innocent Ghanaians and most of all the Akans were target, some were killed for no reason. We are in democratic period where rule of Law is taking seriously. Your corrupt NDC Party won't come to power again, NDC is KNOWN to be CORRUPT and made up of ***barred word*** who came to power to steal our tax payers' money. Ghanaians have seen the good works of our able President Nana Addo Dankwa who has being doing very well in Government. He has so far being able to correct ur economic mess you Guys left over. you are making empty noise ur corrupt Former Government Appointees will definitely go to JAIL. whether you like it or not they will surely go to NSAWAM MAXIMUM PRISON. Have you forgotten the likes Kwame Pepra, Victor Selome of blessed memory,Dan AGBEDAGBI, etc.
YOU CAN'T DO FOKO, GHANA DOES NOT BELONG TO YOU AHWOI AND YOUR NDC. IF CRIME HAS NO EXPIRING DATE, WHEVER YOU KNOW THA HAS COMMITTED ANY CRIME IF YOU THINK HE/SHE IS ALIVE, REPORT HIM/SHIM TO THE SECURITY AGENCIES FOR PROSECUTION AND THAT YOUR POOSIBLE JAIL TERM. AS FOR 2020 MASTER YOU AND NDC SHOULD FORGET. YOU AN ELDERLY MAN, LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR TEMPER, ELSE WHAT YOU ARE EVEN SAYING COULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO ARREST.
Indeed Ato Ahwoi is a very very BIG disappointment to wisdom. With his beautiful grey hair I expect wisdom from him. His admonishment is a total disaster. He should be ashamed of himself.
NPP must be reminded that they will not be in power forever. Everything has an end. The same dish will be served them in opposition. Instead of focusing on job creation, security issues, building factories and dams, they are busily collapsing banks and causing fear and insecurity in Ghana. They should wait la. 2020 is coming. Oh it's just next year. ... What has NPP achieved so far? Lies and deception.
2020 is boot for boot. Uncle Ato thank you for reminding Nana Addo and his NPP.
P.A.N.Y.I.N T.O.O.T.O
S.I.M.P.A PANYIN
At your age of over 74, instead of advising your party members to behave and stop the kidnapping, armed attacks and arson, you are rather inciting them to resort to violence and threatening your opponents with "revenge". Who spoke for Ofosu Ampofo at the ndc communicators meeting? As an elderly person and for the fact that he's somehow reduced mobility, and also the fact that he and his two brothers were very instrumental in the vetting and confiscation of innocent people's properties while they enriched themselves, I expect him to rather teach his party members a lot of sense and sop the threats that won't take him anywhere. In any case does he know if he will still be alive the next time NDC comes to power? Ato Ahwoi is not God and he can't determine what will happen in 2020 December.
APUUU! NDc doesn't have council of elders. They are PATAPA people fooling the Ghanaian voters
When are you (NDC) coming to power? Prosecution is one thing and getting conviction is another. NDC CAN NEVER prosecute any NPP member and EVER get a conviction. EVIL NDC member are being prosecuted because they were 'STEALERS!'