National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Tamale North Constituency Alhassan S. Suhuyini has argued that the arrest and trial of ACP Dr Benjamin Agordzo put all Ghanaians who have not declared their political leanings in danger when they are seen to be critical of a ruling government.
His argument is that the arrest and prosecution of Dr Agordzo is a scheme to silence perceived neutral Ghanaians who have had the freedom to be governments without being hounded, adding that the actions of the current government is a subtle reintroduction of the “culture of silence” when people couldn’t express any criticism of the government.
“There is a danger in there for those who have always considered themselves to be apolitical in this country as a result of what is happening. It is as if now in this country, you have to declare where you stand, either with the NDC or with the NPP. When you’re with the NDC, then we treat you as an opposition member. If you’re said to be apolitical and say the things that apolitical people have said in the past, you’re at risk,” he stressed on JoyNews’s AM show recently monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
Mr Suhuyini maintained that the supposed comment that Ghana is ripe for an Arap Spring, for which Dr Agordzo is being prosecuted has been said in different forms by many others in this country, and those have not been arrested and prosecuted.
Dr Agordzo is being prosecuted for his alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government.
He faces charges of Abetment to Commit Crime; namely, Treason Felony contrary to section 20(1) and 182 (b) of the Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).
The embattled Senior Police officer on his first appearance told journalists that President Akufo-Addo asked Ghanaians to be citizens and that is what he did by expressing his opinion.
“I have not committed any crime. I’ve done nothing wrong. The President called upon us to be citizens.” he said.
“So when I express my opinion on a WhatsApp platform, unrelated to any alleged coup, nobody should bog me down”, he added.