The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has been remanded into police custody until
The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, has been remanded into police custody until Friday following his arrest over comments deemed insulting to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
He was charged with “offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace” and “publication of false news.”
According to the Ghana Police Service, the outspoken politician was arrested on Monday, September 8, 2025, after a video surfaced.
In the footage, which police used as evidence during his interrogation, Abronye allegedly described the IGP as “incompetent” and accused him of unprofessional conduct that had eroded public confidence in the Ghana Police Service.
Police Ambushed
The arrest was preceded by a dramatic police operation on Sunday, September 7, 2025, when heavily armed officers stormed the private residence of Moses Abor, a close ally of Abronye and former NPP Greater Accra Regional Youth Organizer.
According to Moses Abor, the officers, some of them hooded, conducted a search of his home in an attempt to locate the embattled NPP chairman.
“They claimed I was hiding him in my house, which was completely false,” Moses Abor told journalists. “They searched every corner but found nothing.”
The raid has since been cited by NPP supporters as evidence of what they describe as intimidation and abuse of state power.
Arrest After Voluntary Appearance
Abronye was invited by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and, according to his lawyers, voluntarily reported to the Police Headquarters in Accra at around 10:30 am on Monday, September 8, 2025.
After about two hours of interrogation, a video was played in which he was allegedly heard branding the IGP “incompetent” and accusing him of running down the Police Service.
Shortly after, officers informed his counsel that he was being charged with offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace and publication of false news.
He was then taken into custody.
However, confusion followed his detention. His lawyers claim that after being told their client was being transferred to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), they were later informed he was not at the facility.
Lawyers Raise Alarm Over Access
In a social media post, one of his lawyers, Kwasi Botchway Jnr, expressed frustration, alleging that since 12:15 pm on Monday, they have been denied access to their client.
“There is genuine concern for his safety and health,” he said, adding that Abronye had earlier expressed fear of being manhandled if detained. Another member of his legal team, Daniel Martey, was himself detained briefly for nearly two hours after demanding access to his client.
Background
Abronye has long been one of the most outspoken figures within the NPP.
Since the return of former President John Mahama to office in January 2025, the firebrand politician has consistently accused the government of corruption, abuse of power, and political witch-hunting.
Earlier this year, he led public criticism against the administration’s controversial dismissal of over 150,000 public sector workers, a move that triggered nationwide protests.
In February, he was detained by the NIB, where he later claimed he was intimidated and warned to soften his criticisms.
Far from backing down, Abronye intensified his attacks, shifting his focus to the Police Service, accusing its leadership of failing to maintain law and order.
Alleged Threats and Asylum Petition
Days before his latest arrest, Abronye claimed he had received threatening phone calls warning that he would “not return alive” if he failed to honour the CID’s invitation.
He subsequently filed petitions to several foreign embassies, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada, as well as to UN refugee agencies, requesting for asylum.
He cited the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, alleging he was the target of a “state-sponsored manhunt.”
Political Fallout
The arrest has deepened political polarization.
While police insist that Abronye was lawfully detained for conduct capable of disturbing public peace, his supporters in the NPP argue it is a clear case of political persecution.
“This is an orchestrated attempt by the NDC government to silence dissenting voices,” an NPP insider said.
The party’s National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha, was spotted at the court premises with scores of NPP youth who had gathered in solidarity with their embattled regional chairman.
Meanwhile, the police came under criticism for transporting Abronye to court in a Black Maria, a vehicle typically reserved for hardened criminals.
Supporters described the move as a waste of state resources and an attempt to humiliate him.
What Lies Ahead
With Abronye expected back in court on Friday, the case is likely to remain a flashpoint in the political landscape.
His detention has not only amplified debates over free expression and the limits of political speech but also rekindled accusations that the Mahama administration is weaponizing state institutions against its critics.
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