By: Doreen Boamah-Darko
Accra — The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday accused state security agencies and parts of the judiciary of acting on political instructions after the arrest and remand of party communicator Baba Amando, and demanded an immediate review of the remand order.
Speaking at a press conference, NPP officials said Amando voluntarily attended a Police invitation in Sunyani on Monday, April 13, 2026, accompanied by his lawyer, Hon. Tuah Yeboah. They say he was transported to Accra that same day after Sunyani police allegedly told them the arrest order “came from above.” Amando was reportedly granted police bail and directed to report to Police Headquarters on Tuesday, April 14, a direction the party says he complied with.
According to the NPP, Amando was not released upon reporting to headquarters but was instead taken to court and charged with publishing false news over an allegedly AI-generated image. The party says the prosecutor did not oppose bail and did not apply for remand, yet Circuit Court 9 presided over by Justice Kuunsong remanded Amando for two weeks “on the guise of interfering with police investigations.”
“The judge descended into the arena, assumed the role of a prosecutor, and with a predetermined, political mind, unjustifiably remanded Baba Amando,” the party said, adding that this amounted to “judicial overreach” and an attack on personal liberty and free expression.
Amando’s legal team, the NPP said, included Majority Chief Whip and MP Osahen Afenyo Markin, Hon. Nana Agyei Baffour and the MP for Manhyia, who argued at length for bail and presented evidence, the party claims, that Amando was not a flight risk and had complied with every police invitation.
The party also criticised the actions of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), condemning what it called “an unlawful invasion” of the residence of Maxwell Kofi Jumah without a warrant and accusing EOCO of conducting politically motivated raids and selective arrests under the current administration.
NPP representatives pointed to other recent arrests of party figures — including Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye) — as part of what they described as a pattern of targeting opposition voices. They contrasted the treatment of Amando with other political figures from the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former officials who, the NPP said, have made more severe public statements without similar law enforcement action.
The party set out a series of demands: an immediate halt to what it called the weaponisation of state agencies; an immediate review of the remand order; and an investigation by the Chief Justice into alleged political bias by the presiding judge. They also urged the government to focus on governance issues — including employment, education, healthcare, and resolving the country’s energy and mining challenges — rather than pursuing what the party described as vendettas.
“Free speech is not a crime. Free Baba Amando now,” the NPP declared.
There was no immediate comment from the Police Service, EOCO or the judiciary at the time of publication. The Attorney-General’s office and government officials have also not responded to the allegations.
