The Minority Caucus in Ghana’s Parliament has condemned the arrest and detention of former Asokwa MP and ex Managing Director of GIHOC Distilleries Company Limited, Maxwell Kofi Jumah, describing the development as a politically motivated move aimed at silencing opposition voices.

In a statement issued on April 28, 2026, and signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said it “condemns in the strongest and most unequivocal terms the arrest and continued detention” of Jumah by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

The Minority further alleged that the arrest forms part of “a concerted effort to weaponise State institutions against political opponents,” insisting that the actions of EOCO raise serious concerns about political interference in law enforcement.

According to the statement, EOCO operatives had earlier, on April 14, raided Jumah’s private residence in Atonsu, Kumasi, in his absence. The caucus said officers seized personal belongings, including a laptop and property keys, without informing his legal team of any charges.

Describing the sequence of events, the Minority stated, “The pattern of conduct is unmistakable and deliberate: a raid to intimidate; a seizure of personal property to destabilise; and a formal arrest to send a chilling message.”

The caucus argued that EOCO has yet to disclose the legal basis for Jumah’s arrest, raising constitutional concerns. It cited Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution, which requires that an arrested person be promptly informed of the reasons for their detention and brought before a court within 48 hours.

“At the time of this statement, EOCO has not clarified the specific charges or legal basis for Hon. Jumah’s arrest and detention,” the statement noted, adding that “that silence is itself a cause for concern.”

The Minority also questioned whether EOCO is acting within its legal mandate under the law that established it, stressing that the agency must operate without “political direction or partisan bias.”

Beyond the arrest, the caucus accused the government of selective application of justice, pointing to alleged procurement irregularities in the road sector. It referenced investigations by The Fourth Estate, which reported extensive sole sourcing of contracts under a major infrastructure programme.

The statement claimed that more than GH₵73 billion worth of contracts were awarded without competitive tendering within seven months, suggesting potential breaches of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663).

“Meanwhile, real and documented scandals of monumental proportions go uninvestigated,” the Minority said, arguing that this reflects a pattern of selective enforcement.

While affirming that it does not shield wrongdoing, the caucus maintained that “the rule of law cannot be a cudgel wielded against opponents while allies wallow in impunity.”

The group has called on the Attorney General to clarify the legal basis for Jumah’s arrest and urged EOCO to account for its actions. It also petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate what it described as politically motivated targeting.

The Minority further warned that Ghana’s democratic institutions risk being undermined if such actions persist, urging both local and international observers to take note.

“We stand in full solidarity with Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah. We affirm his innocence until due process establishes otherwise,” the statement concluded.