The National Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has issued a stern ultimatum to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to produce the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, at the offices of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) by 10:00 a.m. today, April 10.
The demand follows an aborted operation by the NIB on Wednesday, April 9, during which security operatives attempted to arrest Rev. Fordjour at his residence over the allegations he made regarding two aircraft that landed under suspicious circumstances at Kotoka International Airport—claims that hint at possible drug trafficking and money laundering.
According to Vanderpuye, the operation was suspended after Afenyo-Markin intervened and assured National Security that the embattled MP would voluntarily present himself for questioning.
“Afenyo-Markin yesterday pleaded that he will present Ntim Fordjour today at 10 a.m. That is what led to the abrogation of the operation,” Vanderpuye stated on Channel One TV.
“Other than that, all of them would have spent the night in his house and held a vigil to prevent the National Security from exercising their duty.”
He warned that failure to comply with the agreed time would result in forceful action.
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“By 10:00, he must present Ntim Fordjour for the questioning that he is supposed to face so that we can all have our peace,” Vanderpuye said, adding, “If the Minority Leader does not present him today, we shall plug him from his house.”
Vanderpuye, a former legislator for the Odododiodio constituency also criticized a group of Minority MPs who reportedly showed up at Rev. Fordjour’s residence on Wednesday to block the attempted arrest.
“What they did yesterday was unruly and uncalled for, and a total disrespect for the security services,” he remarked. “Talking of the warrant, a police officer can effect an arrest without a warrant.”
He went on to clarify that parliamentary privilege does not equate to immunity from arrest and stressed that the invitation through the Speaker of Parliament is a matter of protocol—not a legal shield.
“The fact that you are a Member of Parliament does not absolve you from being arrested. It is only a privilege that you have, and that privilege is only exercised through the Speaker,” Vanderpuye explained.
He also claimed there was a standing agreement between the Minority Leader and government officials regarding the voluntary submission of MPs wanted for questioning.
“The Minority Leader had an agreement with our people that at any point in time, any of his people are needed, he will voluntarily present them,” he added.
Rev. Fordjour’s allegations concerning the mysterious aircraft landings have stirred public concern, prompting swift action by national security operatives.
The post Afenyo must present Ntim Fordjour to NIB today or we’ll arrest him – Nii Lantey Vanderpuye warns first appeared on 3News.
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