Several supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Cape Coast over the weekend trooped to the party’s office to give a rousing welcome to five NPP supporters, who were jailed about seven years ago in Tamale in the Northern Region for murdering one Abdul Rashid Mohammed, a butcher in Tamale.

The party’s office was filled to capacity as at 2pm, with most of the supporters wearing party T-shirts.

They sang NPP songs to express their happiness about the release of the members.

Four out of the five were serving their jail term at Ankaful Prison.

Some of the NPP members trooped to Ankaful Prison amidst drumming and dancing after their release by the Appeals Court.

They were subsequently transported to the party’s office.

They are Majeed Alhassan, Mohamed Habib Dagbana, Sheibu Alhassan, Moro Gundana and Yahuza Yakubu served time at Nsawan Prison.

Addressing the supporters, the spokesperson, Mohamed Habib Dagbana stated that they went through severe punishment after their arrest in February 20, 2009 and left behind their wives and children for a crime they did not commit.

He explained that they were arrested in their various homes at midnight.

They said when they attempted to verify from the police commander about the reason for their arrest, he told them that he was acting on instructions from above.

Habib Dagbama further added that they were told to contact the then Regional minister, S.S Neyina who openly told them that they had not committed any crime but some NDC faithful had called for their incarceration.

“We were kept behind doors for one year and some months and did not know who our complainants were till one day when police prepared a charge sheet with someone alleging that he heard an announcement from one Gafaro Baawa stating that the flagbearar of NPP Nana Akufo Addo who had then arrived at Kotoka International Airport had asked NPP supporters to attack NDC members since the government was not treating he (Nana Addo) well.

“None of us was at the scene when the incident happened and we are very happy that we have been freed. We have never committed any crime as we are law-abiding citizens and will never do that,” he indicated.

The Regional Youth Organizer, Percy Dennis commended the legal team, headed by Nana Obiri Boahen for ensuring the release of the NPP activists.

Mr Dennis noted that the release of the five party members indicates that the party was poised for victory in 2016 general elections.