In a statement released on social media, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a prominent Ghanaian lawyer and influential figure in the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has decisively ruled out any intentions of pursuing legal action or demanding a public apology from opposition MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
The issue stems from what Mr. Otchere-Darko described as “baseless attacks” by Hon. Ablakwa, who alleged that Mr. Otchere-Darko, his wife, and Asaase Radio were involved in the improper acquisition of state lands.
Despite the accusations, Gabby Otchere-Darko made it clear that he has no interest in filing a lawsuit or seeking a public apology from Hon. Ablakwa. His response to such inquiries was a resolute “hell no.”
He acknowledged that while the MP has a right to his opinions and a constitutional right to highlight issues of public interest, he does not have the right to distort facts or spread misinformation.
“Ablakwa knew very well that the property with Asaase on was bought from a private person in 2020 and not from the state and should not have been a subject of his ‘state capture’ of state lands associated with me. I have not bought state lands.”
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko
According to Mr. Otchere-Darko’s statement, the Lands Commission of Ghana has provided additional information and “incontrovertible facts” regarding the properties involved in the lawsuit filed by the Judicial Service.
Mr. Otchere-Darko highlighted that these details from the Lands Commission, supported by site plans, prove that the property occupied by Asaase Radio (99.5 FM) was not part of the disputed land mentioned in Hon. Ablakwa’s claims.
Mr. Otchere-Darko said this clarification should put to rest any doubts about the legality and source of the Asaase property acquisition.
Mr. Otchere-Darko explained that the Asaase Radio land was privately purchased in 2020 from an individual unrelated to the state or any political figure.
Moreover, the land in question had been originally sold by the government in 2006 to a different private party, long before Mr. Otchere-Darko’s involvement. This timeline, he emphasized, invalidates any allegations that he had engaged in state capture or benefited from an illicit transaction.
The controversy began when Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a member of parliament for North Tongu, accused Gabby Otchere-Darko of being involved in the so-called “state capture” of lands allegedly acquired under questionable circumstances.
These claims were part of a broader narrative that accused individuals close to the government of benefiting from the improper allocation of state lands.
Hon. Ablakwa’s accusations included Asaase Radio, a media outlet associated with Mr. Otchere-Darko, and suggested that properties linked to him were involved in a judicial dispute over state lands.
Mr. Otchere-Darko vehemently denied these accusations, clarifying that the Asaase Radio property was purchased from a private seller and not from the state.
Accusations of Sensationalism
Mr. Otchere-Darko did not hold back in criticizing what he perceived as Hon. Ablakwa’s deliberate attempt to sensationalize the story for political gain. He accused the opposition MP of being in an “orgasmic haste” to tell a dramatic and untrue story.
According to Mr. Otchere-Darko, Hon. Ablakwa chose to disregard the truth as an “inconvenience” in his pursuit of headlines and public outrage.
As an example, Mr. Otchere-Darko referenced a recent discussion on Metro TV where Nana Akomea, a fellow NPP stalwart, pointed out that a property neighboring the Asaase Radio plot had been sold under the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama, in which Hon. Ablakwa served as a deputy minister.
That particular property had been owned by the government and later sold off, forcing out the public servant who occupied it. Today, that property is reportedly owned by the former chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
“By this, it is clear that Ablakwa’s real interest in this case is not for the protection of state lands but to whip up as much public anger as he can for electoral gain against those he sees as his political opponents.
“If he cared truly about the controversy of the sale of state lands then Gabby, Nana Adjoa and Asaase would never have been his targets.”
Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko
Gabby Otchere-Darko dismissed the need for legal recourse, expressing a desire to move on from the matter. He wished Ablakwa “well and long life in opposition,” suggesting that his role as an opposition politician afforded him the freedom and time to pursue such public interest cases. However, he maintained that Ablakwa does not have the luxury of “inventing facts” to serve his narrative.
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