Dr. Samuel Ayeh, a member of the presidency’s communication team, has responded to the controversy surrounding the attempted arrest of Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, claiming that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had official clearance to arrest the Assin South MP and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee. Ayeh’s comments refute accusations from Fordjour and his supporters that the NIB acted unlawfully and without proper authorization.
In an interview on ABC Morning News, Dr. Ayeh clarified that the NIB had previously invited Rev. Fordjour for questioning in relation to allegations he made regarding drug-related activities. He stressed that the operation was lawful and fully in line with established procedures.
“The NIB’s operation was conducted in accordance with the law and with the proper clearance,” Dr. Ayeh explained. “There is no truth to the allegation that the NIB did not have permission to arrest him.”
Ayeh also dismissed claims that the NIB had stormed Fordjour’s house during the operation, which had led to a tense standoff between NIB officials and minority MPs who had gathered in solidarity with the embattled MP.
“His house was not stormed,” Ayeh asserted. “The overwhelming presence of national security personnel was due to the fact that party supporters had gathered at the residence, preventing the National Security from carrying out their duty to invite him for questioning. The NIB was simply there to invite him; that was all.”
This clarification comes after intense backlash from members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), who have alleged that the incident was politically motivated and an attempt to suppress Fordjour’s oversight role as a legislator. Critics have accused the government of using the NIB to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2024 elections.
Ayeh also accused the NPP of making unfounded allegations to tarnish the image of the NIB and National Security Operatives. “All manner of allegations have been made by the NPP to put the NIB and National Security in a bad light,” he said, defending the actions of the security agencies.
Rev. Fordjour and his supporters have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and have characterized the incident as politically motivated harassment. The MP himself has expressed gratitude for the support from former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who visited him after the attempted arrest.
The incident has sparked an ongoing debate about the use of security agencies for political purposes and raised questions about the potential abuse of power. As the situation continues to unfold, the role of the NIB and the broader implications for democratic governance are likely to remain points of contention in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections.
