Ntim Fordjour’s arrest was suspended after Afenyo-Markin’s request – Nii Lantey Vanderpuye

The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, shared important news. The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) stopped its planned arrest of Rev. John Ntim Fordjour. This decision followed a request from Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

On Channel One TV, Vanderpuye explained the situation on April 10. Afenyo-Markin asked National Security to allow him to present Rev. Fordjour. He wanted to bring the MP to their office by 10:00 a.m.

Vanderpuye confirmed that this request was approved. As a result, the arrest operation was suspended.

He clarified that Rev. Fordjour's absence from Parliament was not unusual. Being an MP does not provide immunity from arrest, he noted. Instead, it offers a privilege exercised through the Speaker of Parliament.

"The fact that you are a Member of Parliament does not absolve you from being arrested," he stated. "That privilege is exercised through the Speaker."

Vanderpuye criticized the Minority's actions at Rev. Fordjour’s residence. He called their behavior unnecessary and theatrical, describing it as “drama.” He mentioned that Afenyo-Markin had previously agreed with officials on handling such matters.

“Afenyo-Markin pleaded yesterday to present Ntim Fordjour today at 10 a.m., which led to halting the operation,” he said.

Reflecting on the government's response, Vanderpuye noted they were willing to listen to Afenyo-Markin's plea. This willingness resulted in suspending the operation.

He suggested that if they hadn't accepted the plea, there might have been attempts to obstruct security forces' duties. “Because we are a listening government, we allowed and accepted his plea,” Vanderpuye concluded.