Alfred Ababio Kumi, widely known as Adenta Kumi, has been formally charged with the publication of false news by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB).
The case has sparked political controversy and public outcry as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) alleges intimidation of opposition figures by the current government.
Kumi, a former NPP parliamentary aspirant for Adentan, was arrested in the early hours of Friday, May 23, by NIB operatives.
His lawyer, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, confirmed the charges during an interview on Asempa FM’s “Eko Sii Sen” programme.
Gyamfi stated that his client’s arrest relates to comments made in media interviews and on social media platform X, as well as a petition Kumi submitted to President John Mahama. The petition called for the dissolution of a committee investigating the possible removal of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
Kumi’s arrest follows his allegations of misconduct against members of the committee probing the Chief Justice.
In his petition, Kumi accused Justices Pwamang, Adibu-Asiedu, and Supreme Court Justice Yonni Kulendi of meeting with Thaddeus Sory, legal counsel for petitioner Daniel Ofori at Santoku Restaurant in Accra’s Airport Residential Area after the committee’s first hearing on May 15, 2025.
Kumi claimed the judges were overheard discussing the petition during the dinner, and a video of the alleged meeting has since gone viral online, though its authenticity has been widely questioned.
According to his lawyer, Kumi was interrogated by NIB officials while his counsel was present.
A caution statement has been taken, and a formal bail application has been submitted, pending a response from the NIB.
Gyamfi expressed confidence that bail would be granted, arguing that the offense is a misdemeanor and does not warrant prolonged detention.
The NPP has condemned Kumi’s arrest, accusing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of targeting opposition voices.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, further alleged that Kumi’s wife suffered a miscarriage following what he described as a dramatic dawn raid by state security operatives during the arrest.
By: Kwadwo Owusu
