The Criminal Investigation Department, (CID), of The Ghana Police, has slammed four charges against the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress National, (NDC), Ofosu Ampfo after he reported himself to answer questions over a leaked tape in which he was alleged to have made certain pronouncements inciting violence.
The charges include: “Threat of harm, Conspiracy to commit harm, Threat of rioting and Assault to public officials.
The NDC chairman who was invited over alleged leaked tape was later detained for over nine (9) hours and charged with the offenses.
He was granted bail in the sum of GHS400,000 with two sureties and to report to the CID on March 7, 2019.
His arrest attracted hundreds of NDC supporters; made up of national officers of the party, Members of Parliament, (MPs’) and former government appointees to The CID Headquarters for over 8 hours to demand for his release.
Addressing party supporters after his release, Ofosu Ampofo insisted that the leaked viral audio tape attributed to him was doctored by some malicious persons.
He maintained that such a meeting was convened at the party’s office, the utterances attributed to him were not a true reflection of what transpired.
“I have been in politics for the past 30 years, there is no record that any insult has ever proceeded from my mouth. My decision in the recent by-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon indicates that I am a very peaceful person because I will want to protect lives and properties than politician gains. We will not undermine peace and stability of this country but we will not own doctored messages. We still want to remain that whatever has been put out there in several forms and shapes are doctored to undermine the party,” he told party supporters.
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo also praised the police saying that they were professional in their job.
Mr. Ofosu Ampofo was heard in a leaked audio recording outlining plans to match up against groups from the governing New Patriotic Party ahead of the 2020 elections.
His plans also included verbal attacks on the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, and the Chairperson of the Peace Council, Prof. Emmanuel Asante.
The NDC chairman said his approach to the election was going to be different and said there were plans for “covert and overt operations.”
Prof. Asante has come out to say he does not hold any grudge against Mr. Ofosu Ampofo for his purported utterances.
The NDC’s first response was to say its offices have been bugged following the circulation of recordings and accused the government of engaging in illegal espionage.
The National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi said: “we know the government is engaged in illegal espionage activities in this country; employing state resources and the national security apparatus to spy on political opponents.”
But the government has denied claims it bugged the offices of the NDC after the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi held that the government is engaged in.
Story by Edzorna Francis Mensah with some portions of this article culled from CNR.
