The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed its Chairman is being investigated by police for his alleged roles in the kidnapping of an Indian businessman and the torching of Kejetia and Asafo Markets in Kumasi.

A statement signed by the Party’s Director of Communication said Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo denied the allegations during interrogation after his recent arrest.

The Chairman of the NDC, who is already standing trial on charges of threat of harm, conspiracy to commit harm, rioting and assaulting a public officer, was arrested when he failed to honour police invitation. 

According to a police statement, the NDC Chairman has been cited as an accessory in the crime of kidnapping and arson.

The NDC press statement which for the first time revealed particulars of the offences for which their national chairman is being investigated, denied the allegation, claiming Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo was not present where the crimes took place at the said period of April 19 to 25,  2019.

According to the released signed by Kakra Assamuah, the  Chairman was attending to private matters in Tema and the United Kingdom at the time the alleged crimes took place.  

“Under interrogation today, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo , after refreshing his memory with entries in his diary and passport, told the Police that from the 18th of April to the 21st of  April, he was at the annual Easter Convention of the Church of Pentecost at Nungua, which was organised by the Teshie-Nungua Area of the Church.

“And thereafter on Easter Monday, April 22nd, he emplaned for a private trip to the United Kingdom. He returned on Saturday, April 27th, just early enough so he could lead the NDC delegation to Peduase on Monday, April 29th for the meeting with the NPP and the Peace Council in the encounters intended to eliminate vigilantism,” Kakra Essamuah wrote. 

Read the full statement

CHAIRMAN OFOSU-AMPOFO AT THE POLICE CID HEADQUARTERS ON JUNE 19, 2019

In the afternoon of Wednesday June 19, 2019, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Hon. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo reported at the headquarters of the Police CID to continue with investigations into his alleged involvement in recent kidnappings and arson in the country.

It will be recalled that at his first interrogation when he handed himself in on Tuesday June 11, he was confronted with pictures of two suspects the police alleged he had conspired with in Kumasi between 19th and 25th April, this year to set fire to the Kejetia and Asafo markets and kidnap an Indian businessman.

Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo flatly denied these allegations and asserted that he did not know the said suspects, had  not conspired with anybody to burn markets or kidnap anyone, and also that he was not even in Kumasi during that time. He was, however, requested to provide details of his whereabouts on those days as soon as he is able to recollect his exact movements during that period.

Under interrogation today, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo , after refreshing his memory with entries in his diary and passport, told the Police that from the 18th of April to the 21st of  April, he was at the annual Easter Convention of the Church of Pentecost at Nungua, which was organised by the Teshie-Nungua Area of the Church. And thereafter on Easter Monday, April 22nd, he emplaned for a private trip to the United Kingdom. He returned on Saturday April 27th, just early enough so he could lead the NDC delegation to Peduase on Monday April 29th for the meeting with the NPP and the Peace Council in the encounters intended to eliminate vigilantism. After these disclosures, Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo was asked to write a further statement to confirm same and was then told to report in two weeks’ time to continue with the investigations.

We publish this to inform the general public and the teeming supporters of the NDC that Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations of involvement in kidnappings and arson that the Police appear to be relying on to tarnish his name and image. Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo will cooperate with the Police until he has cleared his name totally of the accusations being thrown at him. He has never and will never conspire with anybody to break the laws of Ghana. Indeed the God of Pentecost is alive and well and Chairman Ofosu-Ampofo will stand vindicated to the Glory of God.

ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2019

Signed

KAKRA ESSAMUAH

Director of Communications.