The National Investigations Bureau (NIB) has released Alfred Ababio Kumi, also known as Adenta Kumi, hours after his arrest sparked political backlash.
Kumi is a youth activist and former parliamentary aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP). His release followed high-level talks. He was later seen greeting Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
NIB operatives arrested Kumi on Friday, May 23. Authorities charged him with publishing false news. His lawyer, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, said the charges relate to statements Kumi made on social media and during a radio interview.
Kumi’s comments followed a petition he submitted to President John Mahama. In it, he urged the dissolution of a five-member committee reviewing the potential removal of the Chief Justice.
He alleged that three committee members, Justices Gabriel Pwamang, Ernest Yao Gaewu (Adibu-Asiedu), and Supreme Court Justice Yonni Kulendi, met with Thaddeus Sory, the petitioner’s lawyer, at a restaurant after the first hearing on May 15. A video showing the alleged meeting has gone viral. However, questions remain about its authenticity and context.
The NPP has condemned the arrest, accusing the ruling NDC government of using state security to intimidate opposition figures.
