The Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Edudzi Tameklo has criticised the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, accusing him of exploiting parliamentary immunity to make defamatory statements against National Security operatives.
He argued that Afenyo-Markin is strategically using his privileged position in Parliament to make unsubstantiated claims that would otherwise be legally questionable.
“He enjoys immunity for defamatory actions, which means he cannot be sued for what he says on the floor of Parliament. And because of that, he cleverly abuses that privilege,” Mr Tameklo pointed out.
On March 19, operatives of the National Security were reported to have stormed the home of Dr Ernest Addison.
They are reported to have ransacked the place and took away cars and CCTV installations.
The Minority Leader, Alex Afenyo-Markin, who visited Dr Addison moments after the incident informed the public that the security officers took away the CCTV installations and the cars. He further alleged that they “stole an amount of GHC10,000 from Dr Addison’s bed as well as jewelry belonging to his wife.”
Mr Tameklo stated that putting out such information based on hearsay, undermines democratic discourse, as it allows individuals in positions of power to make potentially damaging statements without consequence.
He specifically condemned Mr Afenyo-Markin’s description of the National Security personnel as “hungry NDC foot soldiers.”
“Afenyo-Markin, who for eight years worked with them at National Security, today has the courage to call people hungry NDC party foot soldiers?” Tamakloe questioned. “Where is the consistency in that?”
He suggested that such remarks were politically motivated and intended to discredit individuals who are simply carrying out their professional duties.
Tameklo called for a more balanced and fact-based discussion regarding National Security operations.
He urged both politicians and the media to refrain from making baseless accusations that could harm individuals’ reputations and national institutions.
“The National Security apparatus is a critical institution, and it should not be used as a tool for political propaganda,” he emphasized. “Let us deal with facts, not emotions.”
Source: 3news
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