The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) is concerned about the arrest and incarceration of Nana Darkwa Baafi for allegedly making false statements about the fire incident in the residence of former President Jerry John Rawlings. The haste with which the gentleman was whisked to a police station, arraigned before court and remanded in custody raises serious questions about the commitment of certain state institutions to the protection of individual liberties. We are also appalled at the manner in which an aide to former President Rawlings appears to have instigated the arrest of the said gentleman. We are even more scandalized at the decision of Judge Wilson to remand Nana Darkwa over such an innocuous incident. This decision constitutes a threat to the rights to free expression and must be condemned in no uncertain terms. We call on government to institute investigations into this matter with the view to preventing its recurrence. We also call on the former President to rein in his aide, Kofi Adams in order not to create the impression that he endorses such actions.

(Sent electronically) Kwasi Adu

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