Some okada riders and head potters popularly known as kayayei, have exposed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the recent arrest of Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who according to the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) is being investigated over alleged GHs55 million.
According to them they were brought to the demonstration by their leaders for a cash amount and also their ‘madam’ sponsored by Aboagye.
One of them revealed in an interview that he was promised GHs150 and they were given fuel to come to the demonstration at EOCO.
“I was home and I was called that there is demonstration so we should all come, I was called by okada people. They bought fuel for us and promised to give us some coins. Not everyone can get that. If I get the coins I will eat my favourite banku” one said laughing.
Another protestor with the placard “We’ll not be silenced” when asked why he was there could not explain in clear terms except to say in pidgin “I see say the boys dey here, everything dey here, we dey do something nice. We dey here”.
“We are here because of the arrest of our brother”, another demonstrator said calling on authorities to ensure there is peaceful demonstration and release of the suspect. Even though he spoke fluently, he could not tell the individual in custody and his alleged crime.
“We beg government to ensure peaceful process so the release him for us. We cannot tell why he has been arrested. To be honest I have forgotten his name but I he is NPP that is why we have gathered here for his release”, he added.
A group of young ladies suspected to be head potters were also seen with different placards claiming they were brought to the demonstration by their “madam”. According to them, it was this unnamed madam who sponsored them to learn a trade.
“She has given us job to do, we do liquid soap, after wash, Dettol, and she taught us free of charge.
Another demonstrator shockingly perhaps the most uninformed of all told journalists that they were demonstrating because they want Raymond Archer to be released. His claim created instant laughter because the only person that bears the name Raymond Archer is the Executive Director of EOCO.
This goes to confirm earlier perception that many of the demonstrators were youth picked up on the street to demonstrate. A large number of them from interviews gathered have shown that they did not even know who they were demonstrating for or why he was arrested.
Meanwhile, the 2024 spokesperson for NPP’s flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has expressed his appreciation to the demonstrators.
The loud-mouthed politician says he has been encouraged by the support he received from party members during his detention, revealing that news of demonstrations by supporters reached him while he was in custody.
In a statement after he met his bail condition yesterday, the 41-year old said “You did not just defend Dennis Miracles Aboagye; you defended the principle that no voice can be intimidated into silence”.
He expressed appreciation to his legal team, the leadership of the NPP and supporters for standing by him throughout the period of his detention.
Additionally, the Campaign Director of Communications for Dr Bawumia in 2024 campaign team, has gone public following his release from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office, denying reports that investigators questioned him over an alleged GH¢55 million matter.
In a Facebook post, Aboagye insisted no such issue was raised during his interactions with EOCO and rejected claims circulating in the public domain.
“FOR THE RECORDS: THERE WAS NO Discussion OF ANY GH¢55million cedis with me by EOCO. None!!!” he wrote.
Aboagye, who was arrested by Immigration officers on Saturday at the Accra International Airport (AIA) while returning from a trip from US, and handed to EOCO, described the experience as an unsuccessful attempt to intimidate him, saying it had instead strengthened his resolve.
“If the intention was to break me, it has failed. If the intention was to scare me, it has failed spectacularly,” he stated.