Several Ghanaians have taken to social media to condemn the arrest of blogger Samuel Amadotor, describing it as an attempt to silence critics and intimidate citizens who speak out.
The backlash follows a statement from the Ghana Police Service announcing that Mr. Amadotor had been arrested with support from the National Signals Bureau (NSB) after a complaint filed by Mr. Okatakye Boakye Danquah Ababio I.
“The Ghana Police Service with support from the National Signals Bureau (NSB) arrested suspect Samuel Amadotor following a complaint against him by Mr. Okatakye Boakye Danquah Ababio I, for maliciously publishing false information on him.”
“Upon interrogation, the suspect admitted to the offence and mentioned one Chairman Michael Yeboah as the one who contracted him to make the false publication. The said Chairman Michael Yeboah is being sought to assist the investigation.”
However, many Ghanaians online say are criticizing the arrest with people calling it an infringement on free speech.
Some also point out that, according to people close to the blogger, he had allegedly been in custody for two days before the police publicized the arrest, raising concerns over due process and prolonged detention without being taken to court.
However, other people defended the action, insisting that knowingly publishing false information about another person is a crime and must be treated as such.
The police in their statement noted that the suspect is in custody and will be put before court today, 21st November.
