Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader in Parliament, has strongly criticized the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) over its alleged attempt to arrest Hon. Enerst Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwetia.
According to Afenyo-Markin, the actions of the NIB raise serious concerns about due process and the rule of law in Ghana.
Speaking on the matter, Afenyo-Markin expressed astonishment at the justification provided by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mubarak when he appeared before Parliament to answer questions regarding the attempted arrest.
“We found it very strange that the Minister justified the actions of the National Investigation Bureau,” he stated, emphasizing that the incident points to a troubling collusion between the government and the High Court in Koforidua.
Afenyo-Markin questioned the legal basis for the enforcement of a court order through the National Security Coordinator’s representative in the Eastern Region, who reportedly passed the order on to the NIB.
“With the greatest respect, that is not how our laws work. When there is a court order, it is for the registrar to assign a bailiff for the purpose of enforcing the order.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin
According to him, the Supreme Court had already placed a freeze on the enforcement of the said order.
Despite this, NIB operatives allegedly proceeded to harass Hon. Enerst Kumi while he was in his constituency.
Afenyo-Markin described the situation as alarming, detailing how security operatives arrived in pickup trucks, armed with weapons, and even brandished a pistol in an attempt to coerce the MP into their vehicle. “But for the intervention of his constituents, the situation could have escalated.”
NDC Government Accused of Undermining Rule of Law
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin did not hold back in his criticism of the current NDC administration, accusing it of eroding democratic principles and disregarding the rule of law.
He expressed deep concern over what he described as a troubling pattern of governance that threatens the country’s democratic foundations. “The NDC government must recognize that Ghana is a nation built on the rule of law.”
Emphasizing the need for accountability, he urged the government to uphold the principles of justice and fairness in its actions.
“Today, a question will be filed for the Attorney General to come and answer the circumstances leading to…the High Court in the Eastern Region colluding with the National Security Coordinator and for that matter, the NIB to attempt enforcing an order the Supreme Court had already placed on ice.”
Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin
Afenyo-Markin strongly challenged the unprecedented nature of the incident, questioning whether anything of this sort had ever occurred in Ghana’s history.
Expressing his deep concern, he criticized the Minister of Interior’s, Hon. Muntaka Mubarak, response, arguing that his defense of the National Intelligence Bureau’s (NIB) actions set a dangerous precedent for the country’s democracy.
The Minister had justified the agency’s conduct by claiming that state security officials have the right to enforce court orders as soon as they become aware of them.
Rejecting this explanation, Afenyo-Markin warned that such an interpretation of the law could lead to serious abuses of power.
He described the explanation as legally flawed and unacceptable. “I’ve never heard this before and we are not going to rest on this matter,” he concluded.
The Majority Leader’s strong stance on the issue signals a brewing political and legal confrontation.
The unfolding controversy raises broader concerns about the separation of powers, judicial independence, and the role of security agencies in Ghana’s democracy.
As Parliament gears up to demand answers, all eyes will be on how the government navigates this contentious issue.
Accordingly, the public will be closely monitoring the administration’s response, assessing whether it upholds principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
The government’s handling of this case could have far-reaching implications, shaping public perception of its commitment to justice and institutional integrity.
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