Policy analyst and President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has called for the immediate release of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), following his recent remand into custody over allegations of publication of false news and offensive conduct.
In a Facebook post reacting to the development, Mr. Cudjoe questioned the decision to arrest and detain individuals over expressed opinions, arguing that such actions risk undermining free speech protections.
“Please release Abronye DC immediately. It should not be the duty of police officers to sheepishly appease politicians by arresting anyone who freely expresses an opinion on another person’s perceived political association, or who simply questions why certain projects have stalled,” he wrote.
He further cited comparative jurisprudence to support his argument on free expression, referencing a South African ruling in which harsh political criticism was treated as fair comment.
“A judge in South Africa once considered the comment ‘President Zuma is a thief’ to be fair comment. People insult us all the time,” he added.
Franklin Cudjoe, however, cautioned against engaging in what he described as unnecessary provocation, adding: “I have learned that not every barking dog requires attention—and there are far too many stray, rabid dogs everywhere. Avoid them.”
The comments follow the remand of Mr. Baffoe by the Accra Circuit Court into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) on Tuesday, May 13, 2026.
He is facing charges of publication of false news and offensive conduct conducive to the breach of the peace, relating to a video in which he allegedly made derogatory remarks about a Circuit Court judge.
According to prosecutors, Mr. Baffoe accused the judge of political bias and made comments considered offensive, including claims that the judge issued flawed rulings and was acting with political intent.
The court denied his bail application and ordered his remand pending further proceedings, with the case adjourned to May 27, 2026.
