Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga has confirmed that the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, has been arraigned in connection with the recent Hwidiem clash in the Ahafo Region.
A clash occurred in Hwidiem on November 1, between members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force and an angry mob after the NAIMOS team conducted an operation at an illegal mining site in Bronikrom, near Hwidiem.
They arrested two men, confiscated vehicles and equipment, and reportedly destroyed structures and mining gear.
A large mob surrounded the police station, demanding the release of the suspects, resulting in the mob vandalizing a NAIMOS vehicle and parts of the police station, and attempting to set the building ablaze.
Sources claim that the Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, was involved in mobilizing the group, however he has denied the claims, insisting he only intended to help ensure calm.
According to the Majority Leader, it was agreed on Monday, November 3, between himself and the Minister for the Interior that the MP should report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today, November 4, to meet one of the Deputy CID Directors.
Speaking in Parliament on November 4, Mr. Ayariga said the Ebenezer Kwaku Addo reported to the CID headquarters earlier in the day, and has now been arraigned.
“So this morning he went with our Majority Chief Whip and his lawyer. They received him at CID headquarters, took him through the processes,” he stated.
“I received a call not quite long ago that he has been taken to court and as we speak he’s actually in court being arraigned.”
The Majority Leader emphasized that Members of Parliament are not above the law and are ready to face due process.
“Let me also indicate that as Members of Parliament we do not consider ourselves being above the law. We’re always ready to be held accountable for our actions and inactions,” he said.
“We as Members of Parliament will not, I believe, go out of our way deliberately to tamper with the law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their duties.”
Mahama Ayariga further mentioned that the MPs whose names have been named in association with the clash have denied it.
“What I know is that the honourable flatly denied the allegations,” he stated.
He also disclosed that Collins Dauda, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, had contacted him from outside the country after learning of reports linking him to the clash.
“He was very surprised about the report that the media has put out there about what really happened,” Mr. Ayariga said.
“Be that as it may, he’s handed himself over to the police, been taken to court, and Mr Speaker, we are ready to go through all the legal processes.”
