Former Odododiodio MP, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has revealed that a request from Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, caused the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to suspend the arrest of Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour.
Vanderpuye explained that this request was granted after Afenyo-Markin promised to present the Ranking Member of the Defence and Interior Committee on Thursday, April 10. He indicated that if the plea had not been accepted, the Minority may have tried to obstruct the arrest by the security forces.
The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) disclosed this on Accra-based Channel One TV.
“Afenyo-Markin yesterday pleaded that he would present Ntim Fordjour today at 10 a.m. That is what led to the abrogation of the operation. Because we are a listening government, we allowed and accepted his plea,” he said.
He stressed that being a lawmaker does not provide immunity from arrest; instead, it grants a privilege that can only be invoked through the Speaker of Parliament.
“The fact that you are a Member of Parliament does not absolve you from being arrested, but it is only a privilege that you have, and that privilege is exercised through the Speaker,” he stated.
Top members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the Minority caucus, on Wednesday trooped to the residence of Rev. Fordjour, at Spintex in Accra to prevent an attempted arrest by the NIB.
The delegation included Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; NPP General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua; National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye; Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah; Atiwa East MP, Abena Osei Asare; and Suame MP, John Darko, among others.
The incident follows allegations regarding two suspicious flights that allegedly landed at Kotoka International Airport, reportedly carrying drugs and cash.
In response to reports of his residence being under siege, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua rallied party members to show solidarity with the embattled MP.
The NPP argued that no formal charges or warrants were presented during the attempted arrest, deepening suspicions of political interference.
However, Mr. Vanderpuye criticised the action, labelling their behaviour as unnecessary and theatrical.
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