New Patriotic Party flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has accused the Mahama administration of “weaponising state power”, alleging that opposition figures and government critics are being subjected to a different standard of justice.
Dr Bawumia said Ghana could not operate separate justice systems based on political affiliation and called for equal application of the law.
Addressing the NPP’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, the former Vice President alleged that the rights and liberties of some citizens were increasingly being undermined.
“The new era we are in is the weaponisation of state power and the running of a different justice system for the NDC and another system for all other Ghanaians,” he said.
“A nation cannot have two systems of justice: one of haste for the government’s opponents and one of leisure for its friends.”
Dr Bawumia cited the recent case involving Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who surrendered to the Economic and Organised Crime Office after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He questioned why the legislator was detained after voluntarily reporting to EOCO.
“No one is above the law. But what purpose does detaining a man who came of his own free will serve, other than to humiliate and intimidate?” he asked.
Dr Bawumia described the episode as an example of what he considered the misuse of state power.
The Manhyia South MP has since appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to charges arising from EOCO’s investigation.
Dr Bawumia also raised concerns about free speech, saying that although he opposed politics of insults, criticism of government should not result in violations of citizens’ rights.
He called for political discourse to remain decorous but warned against measures that could restrict legitimate expression.
“Any infringement on the right to free speech pushes our democracy backwards,” he said.
Dr Bawumia pledged that an NPP government under his leadership would apply the law equally regardless of political affiliation.
“There will be one standard of justice for all. One law applied equally to every citizen, whatever their party,” he said.
His allegations form part of a wider opposition attack on the Mahama administration over the conduct of state investigative and law-enforcement institutions.
