The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is demanding the immediate release of a social media activist Seth Osei Asiedu, who was arrested for allegedly causing fear and panic in the country.
His social media post, bearing the name Kwaku Rafik said it will be difficult for banks to pay depositors because Moody’s had downgraded major banks in Ghana because of their risk levels.
Addressing the media on the latest development, the North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said the party will descend heavily on President Akufo-Addo if the young man is not released in the next 24 hours.
“He was bundled Thursday, December 1, 2022, into a National Security vehicle. It appeared to be a joint operation by the National Security, the National Signal Bureau (NSB), and the police.
“It is important to note that there was no evidence of a search warrant and his rights were not read to him. As we speak we do not know where the young man is,” he said worriedly.
According to the North Tongu legislator, there was also no record of the social media activist at the Police CID headquarters, where the said suspect was being held.
“We demanded to see our comrade and the officials told us that he has since been transferred to the CID headquarters. We proceeded to the CID but to our utter shock, all the officials we spoke to said they have no knowledge of the suspect and neither was he being held by the police.
“Based on this frightening and worrying development we have no option than to call a press conference…We demand his immediate release, we cannot live in a country which is governed by law and order and have a president who is styled as a human rights activist engage in this capriciousness and disregard for civil liberties,” he added.
Adding his voice, the National Communications Officer of the party, Sammy Gyamfi revealed that the suspect was being denied legal representation.
“I was contacted early this morning and informed about the Rambo arrest of Kwaku Rafik so I went to the office of the NSB. I went there not only in my capacity as a comrade but as a legal counsel but to utter shock and dismay they told us they didn’t have him and could not produce him.
“Seth has to be found, his parents and loved ones are very worried. We don’t know whether he is being tortured or has been assassinated. As his lawyer, we deserve to know. We are told they have started questioning him. Why would you start questioning him without legal representation?” he quizzed.