September 26, 2017//-The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it only helped in the arrest of serial caller and staunch National Democratic Congress (NDC) member Appiah Stadium in Kumasi.
Born Kwaku Appiah, Appiah Stadium was arrested Tuesday morning for reasons yet to be officially made known. He had allegedly called President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo a ‘drug addict’.
But speaking on TV3’s News 360 on Tuesday night, Public Relations Officer of the Command Juliana Obeng said the arrest was at the instance of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.
The NDC man has, as a result, been sent to the national headquarters in Accra. “We had only helped in his arrest,” the Assistant Superintendent of Police said, adding that “why he is being investigated should be communicated to you”.
She confirmed that no charges that she knows of have been preferred against the NDC supporter. “We are not the investigators,” ASP Juliana Obeng stressed.
Protests
There is growing protest against the arrest of the outspoken NDC activist. Already, some persons are posting ‘Free Appiah Now’ messages on social media.
Meanwhile, members of the opposition NDC are demanding the immediate release of Appiah Stadium.
“We demand the immediate release of Appiah Stadium from police custody now in the interest of the stability of the State,” a statement by the party’s Ashanti Regional Youth Organizer, Yaw Brogya Genfi said.
He also gave government a 24-hour ultimatum to release Appiah Stadium or face their wrath.
“The release of Appiah Stadium from police custody is non-negotiable, as such we give the Akufo-Addo government 24 hours to produce him or we take every means possible to get Appiah out,” he added.
Appiah Stadium was arrested for suggesting in a recent audio that went viral, that the President, Nana Akufo-Addo smokes marijuana [wee].
Appiah Stadium apologizes
Meanwhile, Appiah Stadium has reportedly apologized for his comment, admitting that it was inappropriate and false, and that he had no evidence to prove it.
Below is the full statement from the NDC:
NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS
YOUTH WING
ASHANTI REGION
September 26, 2017
For Immediate Release
FREE APPIAH STADIUM NOW!!!
1. We demand the immediate release of Appiah Stadium from police custody now in the interest of the stability of the State.
2. The Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer has confirmed the arrest of Appiah Stadium without a cause.
3. According to the Police, they were directed from “ABOVE” to arrest Appiah and send him to Accra.
4. His arrest has no basis in law and we find it as an attempt to suppress FREE SPEECH.
5. We have witnessed criminal attacks on the Courts and Security Appointees in Ashanti Region where the Security of the State allows these miscreants to walk freely from Justice.
6. We have witnessed lawlessness to the hilt in the Ashanti Region exposing the weakness of our Security Agencies in the face of political power.
7. If President Akufo-Addo wants to re-criminalize FREE SPEECH, he can sponsor a legislation on it to Parliament – until that is done, we will not allow any citizen to suffer for Speaking his mind in this country.
8. The NDC YOUTH in Ashanti Region demands the release of Appiah Stadium Now.
9. The release of Appiah Stadium from police custody is non-negotiable as such we give the Akufo-Addo government 24 hours to produce him or we take every means possible to get Appiah out!
Thank you.
Signed
Yaw Brogya Genfi
(ASHANTI REGIONAL YOUTH ORGANIZER)
African Eye Report/3news.com
