Former Lands Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has come to the defense of Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, following threats of possible arrest over his recent drug trafficking claims.
The Narcotic Control Commission had earlier indicated that unless Reverend Ntim Fordjour provided credible evidence to back his allegations of drug trafficking involving top government officials, the law would have no choice but to arrest him for spreading unsubstantiated claims.
However, speaking in an interview on Joy FM‘s Top Story on Tuesday, April 8, Mr Abu Jinapor expressed surprise over the development, describing it as strange and contrary to the principles of the rule of law and democratic governance.
“I am struggling to understand how a Member of Parliament who is discharging his oversight duties will be arrested just for raising issues. Whatever Reverend Ntim Fordjour has put out may end up being founded or unfounded, but that determination can only be made after thorough investigations are conducted.”
The Damongo MP questioned the logic behind treating the MP as a suspect rather than engaging him as a whistleblower with potentially useful intelligence.
According to him, in a country governed by the rule of law, whistleblowers should be protected, not victimised.
“How will a whistleblower now become a victim or a suspect?” he asked. “This is someone who holds the position of Ranking Member for Defence and Security in Parliament, exercising his constitutional mandate of oversight over the government. It would be strange for the law to be stretched to the point of turning him into an accused person.”
He further called on state investigative bodies to collaborate with Reverend Ntim Fordjour to ascertain the truth behind his claims rather than resorting to threats of arrest.
“We must all appreciate that Ghana is a democratic state anchored on the rule of law — and that rule must work for everyone, regardless of political affiliation or status,” he emphasised.
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