The continued detention of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has drawn a sharp rebuke from private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu.
In an interview on Citi FM on Friday, September 12, Mr Kpebu called on the leadership of the NPP to intervene directly with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno to secure Abronye’s release, arguing that his remand is an overreach of the law.
He pointed to the working relationship between the current IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and the former New Patriotic Party administration.
“This is a small offence that somebody in the position of a regional chairman is not likely to abscond. It’s a small offence. This is a case that if big people in NPP go to beg the IGP, this case can be withdrawn,” Kpebu stated on the show.
“Remember that just a few months ago, Christian Tetteh Yohuno was Deputy IGP during Akufo-Addo’s tenure. You can see that he has some rapport with the NPP. If the right calibre of seniors in NPP go to beg the IGP, this case can be withdrawn. He cannot refuse if they beg.”
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Abronye was arrested by the Ghana Police Service on Monday, September 8, and has been remanded into police custody for one week by an Accra Circuit Court.
According to the court, the remand was to allow prosecutors more time to conduct their investigations.
Mr. Kpebu argued that the nature of the alleged offence does not warrant such a prolonged detention.
He stated that Abronye, as a public figure and a regional chairman of a major political party, poses no flight risk and should have been granted bail.
The lawyer’s comments came in a week when the legal community had been sharply critical of the judiciary’s approach to bail, particularly in politically charged cases.
The legal practitioner suggested that the case could be resolved through political intervention.
He elaborated on the historical ties between the IGP and the NPP, suggesting this could be a pathway to a resolution.
Kpebu concluded his plea with a strong statement on the importance of individual liberty and due process.
“This is not a serious case that he should stay in custody for one more week; we can’t allow that to happen in the country. We’re begging IGP Yohuno.”
The lawyer’s comments have fueled a debate over the role of political influence in the justice system, with some critics suggesting that such an appeal undermines the independence of the police and the judiciary.
However, Kpebu’s stance highlights the practical realities of Ghana’s legal system, where political interventions are often sought in high-profile cases.