National Security refusing to release 'The New Force' spokesperson Shalimar Abbiusi despite bail - Sosu

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has accused the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) of refusing to release the spokesperson of The New Force, Shalimar Abbiusi, despite the court granting her bail.

Speaking to journalists after court proceedings on Monday, December 11, 2023, Sosu, the lawyer of Abbiusi, described the attempts to keep the spokesperson of The New Force in custody as an abuse of power.

He refuted the suggestion by the security officials that Abbiusi, a 30-year-old Belgian, must be kept in custody because of national security concerns.

“The court has taken note of the fact that immigration has already had her passport. So, she is not a flight risk. So, what would be the reasons why you would continue to want to detain the person?

“For me, that would be an abuse of power and it would undermine the respect for human rights. It would undermine the respect for the dignity of a person. And it would undermine the very constitution that we all subscribe to,” he said.

Sosu added, “Because when you arrest a person within 24 hours you should deal with the person. 48 hours is the maximum the person must be released. But you keep the person for seven days for a misdemeanour and the court admits the person to bail and you still want to keep the person”.

The Madina legislator also said that if national security wants to keep his client in custody then they would have to re-arrest her.

“That (the National Security taking her away) would amount to contempt of court. In fact, that would be unlawful. It would be an upfront to the decision of the court today. Unless someone is saying she is being rearrested in which case you have to let us know the reason for the arrest.

“… when a person has not committed any offence and you bring the person to the court on specific facts and the court reviews the facts and admits the person to bail, we expected that you would respect the decision of the court. Otherwise, that would not be the rule of law, that would rule of the gaggle,” he explained.

He added that all sureties who would sign the bail conditions of his client to be released are ready.

About the arrest

The Ghana Immigration Service apprehended a 30-year-old Belgian woman, Shalimar Abbiusi, who gained attention through her involvement in a viral short video introducing a new political group known as "The New Force."

Abbiusi was taken into custody during an inquiry into her immigration status in the country.

The Immigration Service took notice of Abbiusi's activities on social media, particularly her role as the spokesperson for "The New Force."

The arrest occurred following an invitation by the Head of the National Enforcement Section at the Immigration Headquarters to address concerns related to her immigration status.

Investigations revealed that Abbiusi initially arrived in Ghana on September 4, 2017, through the Kotoka International Airport and had been a frequent visitor until 2018 when she claimed residency as a student at the Ghana Christian University College.

However, checks from the college exposed that Abbiusi had never been a student, and the documents purportedly issued by the institution to support her application for a residence permit were forged.

The accused now faces charges related to immigration offenses and has been arraigned before the court for remand into Immigration custody.

The court granted her bail on December 11, 2023, after she pleaded not to the charges against her – one count of obtaining a student permit by false declaration contrary to section 52 (1) (i) of the Immigration Act 2000 {Act 573).

Watch Sosu's remarks in the videos below:

Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu described as abuse of power attempts by NIB officers to take his client back to Custody#GHOneNews pic.twitter.com/kBbwyhsazs

— GHOne TV (@GHOneTV) December 11, 2023

Lawyer Francis Xavier Sosu says it will amount to Contempt of Court attempt to take his client to custody while been granted bail#GHOneNews pic.twitter.com/kAihosORzr

— GHOne TV (@GHOneTV) December 11, 2023

Cheers erupts as parents of accused Shalimar Abbiusi are out with news of bail#GHOneNews pic.twitter.com/BT7YO34kJa

— GHOne TV (@GHOneTV) December 11, 2023