The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has issued a strong warning to the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, demanding that he ensures the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, is presented to the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) by 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 10.
Mr Vanderpuye stated that failure to comply with the directive would result in Ntim Fordjour being forcibly removed from his residence by security forces.
The warning follows an attempted arrest by NIB operatives on Wednesday, who stormed Rev. Fordjour’s residence over allegations of drug dealing and money laundering he made regarding two aircraft that landed at the Kotoka International Airport.
However, the arrest operation was abruptly halted without an official explanation. New Patriotic Party officials and supporters had protested the attempted arrest, with many attributing the abortive exercise to the protests.
But speaking on the matter in an interview with Channel One TV, Mr Vanderpuye revealed that the arrest attempt was called off after a request from Afenyo-Markin, who assured National Security that Rev. Fordjour would voluntarily appear for questioning by 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
Mr Vanderpuye noted that this arrangement had been agreed upon earlier between the Minority Leader and government officials, emphasising the expectation that the process would proceed smoothly.
Addressing the incident further, Vanderpuye urged Afenyo-Markin to fulfil his responsibility and ensure Rev. Fordjour’s appearance, insisting that the matter should be resolved for the sake of peace.
“Somebody must advise Ntim Fordjour, and I will allow Afenyo-Markin to exercise the opportunity given to him today. By 10:00, he must present Ntim Fordjour for questioning,” Vanderpuye asserted.
The DRIP coordinator also condemned the actions of several Minority MPs who gathered at Rev. Fordjour’s residence to resist the operation.
He described their behaviour as unruly and disrespectful towards the security forces.
“What they did yesterday was inappropriate and a total disrespect for the security services. If the Minority Leader does not present him today, we shall remove him from his house,” Mr Vanderpuye warned.
By Lawrence Odoom
