A broadcaster and publicist for the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ras Mubarak, has faulted Lawyer Sam Okudzeto’s questioning of the authority of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to revoke the passport of a citizen. Mr Mubarak, an NDC guru, said Lawyer Okudzeto (of Okudzeto Chambers) erred in interpreting the law because the legal luminary cited legal precedences which did not complement his argument. Mr Okudzeto on Monday chided the BNI for trying to take custody of the passport of former Information Minister Stephen Asamoah Boateng. While the lawyer believes the powers of the BNI or any security operative to revoke the passport of an individual must be questioned, Mr Mubarak believes security operatives can revoke such a document without recourse to the courts. “In citing instances of legal precedence, Mr. Okudzeto invoked the 1996 – 97 ruling of Edusei v. Attorney General - SCGLR at 1-62 and questioned the powers of the BNI or any state security agency to revoke a Ghanaian passport or question a suspect in the absence of their attorney. “Interestingly, it is clearly stated in page one of Republic of Ghana passport that a Ghanaian passport “is the property of the government of Ghana and must be surrendered on demand by an authorised representative of the Ghana government,” Mr Mubarak emphasised. He said contrary Mr Okudzeto’s interpretation of the ruling of Edusei v. Attorney General “the BNI or Police do not have to go to court to get a ruling before the government can revoke a passport.” “The ruling says if there are sufficient grounds to seize a passport, so be it,” he stated. The two’s attempt at interpreting the law follows an incident at the Kotoka International Airport where BNI operatives attempted to seize the passport of Mr Asamoah Boateng when the former minister was due to fly to US on a three-week visit. But for the presence of his wife who snatched back the passport Mr Asamoah Boateng’s passport would have been taken away. Government said the ex-minister is due to be invited to answer questions relating to a contract his ministry awarded when he was in charge. Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto in an earlier interview with Joy News said Mr Asamoah Boateng could not have been allowed to embark on his journey when he was billed to be questioned by the bureau. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com