The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has strongly criticised the continued remand of the New Patriotic Party’s Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, describing it as a violation of constitutional safeguards on bail and free expression.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Mr Afenyo Markin said the legal processes leading to the detention of the outspoken politician raise fundamental questions about the application of criminal justice and constitutional protections in Ghana.

He argued that aspects of the legal framework governing bail and remand appear inconsistent with constitutional provisions, particularly in relation to judicial discretion.

“The general tenor of Act 30, as amended, is one such legislation that is inconsistent with the constitution. The general tenor of Act 96, which deals with the grant of bail gives very clear indication that the court has discretion to grant bail to persons appearing before it in criminal cases upon conditions stated therein. The abstention on granting of bail in section 97 is therefore odd, and an unnecessary interference with the court,” he said.

Mr Afenyo Markin further insisted that the treatment of Abronye DC amounted to an injustice.

“What has been done to Abronye DC is a profound constitutional wrong, and must be condemned without equivocation, without delay. The arrest itself, the prosecution and remand of a citizen for words spoken in the public domain is not justice, it is prosecution,” he stated.

He stressed that while the NPP does not support irresponsible public commentary, Ghana’s legal system already provides civil remedies for reputational harm, rather than criminal prosecution for speech-related offences.

“The party does not condone irresponsible speech. We never did, and we never will. But public discourse carries responsibility and we believe deeply in that. Where speech damages a person’s reputation, Ghanaian law provides a civil remedy for it. It has been designed to achieve one aim, which is to allow the person injured to seek relief,” he added.

Abronye DC was remanded for two weeks on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged misinformation and offensive public statements.

He was first arrested on Monday, April 13, 2026, over allegations including offensive conduct, false publication, and statements considered likely to incite fear and panic. Although he was initially granted bail while investigations continued, he was later rearrested as authorities intensified their probe.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has since expressed concern over his detention, arguing that the process raises serious constitutional and procedural questions.