“Braggart” Afenyo-Markin begged NIB officials to halt Ntim Fordjour’s arrest – Nii Lante Vanderpuye,
“Braggart” Afenyo-Markin begged NIB officials to halt Ntim Fordjour’s arrest – Nii Lante Vanderpuye,
Officials from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) stormed the residence of Assin South Member of Parliament (MP), who doubles as the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour to arrest him, following allegations he made concerning two suspicious flights that landed at the Kotoka International Airport, under circumstances suggesting possible drug trafficking and money laundering.
However, the arrest was aborted following some alleged discussions behind the scenes.
Commenting on the NIB attempted arrest in an interview on Accra-based Channel One TV’s current affairs show “Breakfast Daily” on Thursday, April 10, 2025, the National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), and Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra region, Mr. Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, revealed that operatives of the NIB sent to arrest the Assin South lawmaker was deferred following the incessant plea by the Minority Leader, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin.
Nii Lante Vanderpuye emphasised that the Minority Leader pleaded severally with the officers from the National Security to halt the arrest and that he (the minority leader) will present him (Rev. Ntim Fordjour) to their office by 10:00 a.m. today, April 10, 2025.
According to him, this plea was accepted, leading to the suspension of the operation.
“What happened yesterday is not news. The Member of Parliament was not in Parliament as the operation was going on. The invitation through the Speaker is only when there is an invitation. 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 only exercised through the Speaker,” he explained.
The former MP described the move of the minority at the residence of Rev. Ntim Fordjour as a “dramatic” adding that it was “a disruptive activity.”
He further disclosed that the Minority Leader had previously reached an agreement with government officials to voluntarily present any of his members to National Security whenever needed.
“What happened yesterday was a drama because the Minority Leader asked him whether he had not agreed with government officials on how to exercise this right. He had an agreement with our people that at any point in time, if any of his people are needed, he will voluntarily present them.
Afenyo-Markin yesterday pleaded that he will present Ntim Fordjour today at 10 a.m. That is what led to the abrogation of the operation. Other than that, all of them would have spent the night in his house and held a vigil to prevent the National Security from exercising their duty. And because we are a listening government, we allowed and accepted his plea,” the former Odododiodio lawmaker opined.
