The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly condemned the arrest and continued detention of former Asokwa MP, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, describing the move as a calculated act of political persecution.
In a sharply worded statement signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the group accused the governing administration of weaponising state institutions to target political opponents, insisting the involvement of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) raises serious concerns about abuse of power.
According to the Minority, the arrest follows an earlier raid on Jumah’s residence in Atonsu, Kumasi, on April 14, 2026, during which EOCO operatives allegedly seized personal items including a laptop and property keys without formally communicating charges to his legal team. The Caucus argues that the operation breached constitutional provisions on privacy and due process.
They further contend that the circumstances surrounding the April 28 arrest lack transparency, claiming authorities have yet to disclose the legal basis or specific charges against the former GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited Managing Director.
“The pattern is clear, intimidation, destabilisation, and a broader attempt to silence dissent within the NPP,” the statement said.
The Minority also criticised what it describes as selective justice, contrasting Jumah’s arrest with what it calls the state’s inaction on alleged procurement irregularities under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure programme. The group cited findings by The Fourth Estate, alleging that billions of cedis in sole-sourced contracts were awarded without competitive tendering.
While stressing its commitment to the rule of law, the Caucus maintained that legal processes must not be used as political tools. It called on the Attorney-General to immediately disclose the legal grounds for Jumah’s detention and ensure compliance with constitutional provisions requiring suspects to be brought before a court within 48 hours.
The statement also urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to launch an independent probe into what it describes as a pattern of politically motivated arrests, and appealed to international democratic institutions to take note of developments in the country.
Reaffirming its support, the Minority declared solidarity with Jumah, insisting on his right to due process and presumption of innocence.
The government has yet to respond to the allegations.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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