The Suame Constituency Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) accused of inciting political violence ahead of the 2024 general elections has been arrested.
Razak Avoliya has been detained by the Suntreso police on Wednesday, February 8.
In a viral video, the suspect was heard encouraging members and supporters of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress to pick arms against their opponents.
He made those comments the police say are inciteful in an interview on a Kumasi-based TV station, Oyerapa which simulcast on radio as well as stream on online.
The police subsequently declared the youth organizer wanted.
Newstitbits.com’s police sources said Razak reported himself to the Central Police command in the company of his lawyer, some regional party executives, and sympathizers.
The command later referred the case to Suntreso police station where his statement was taken.
He has been charged with offensive conduct.
“They charged him with offensive conduct and we were to go to court. But unfortunately, after the statements we realised that time has far been spent so we agreed to go to court tomorrow”, Counsel for Razak, Evans Amankwa told journalists.
It is likely he would be arraigned on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
“We will cooperate with the law. We are not perturbed about the detention. He will be in cells until tomorrow. The youth organizer is in high spirit. He meant what he said but has no intention of destabilizing the peace of this nation.
“He was only encouraging the people of Suame constituency to fortify themselves in the 2024 elections and be prepared to defend themselves if attacked by members of the NPP”.
National Organiser of the NDC Joseph Yamin was among a number of party supporters who thronged the Central Police Command in the Ashanti Region to offer Razak their moral support.
On Tuesday, the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi appealed to the police that the “young man misspoke and must be pardoned”.
In a statement issued, he explained that, the comments by the NDC activist were borne out of the “pain he and other NDC supporters have suffered in the hands of NPP thugs in the Ashanti Region over the years”.