An Assistant Commissioner of Police detained for his alleged involvement in a coup plot, has refused to eat.

This, according to his lawyer, Martin Kpebu, is to protest against the violations of his rights at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) cells.

Speaking on JoyNews Tuesday, he said ACP Dr Benjamin Agordzo is not doing well.

“His wife prevailed upon him but he said ‘No’, he is not going to eat. He is abhorred at how the BNI is treating him,” he revealed.

Related: Alleged coup plot: What we know so far

ACP Dr Agordzo has been charged with abetment to commit treason 

He has been held in BNI custody since Monday afternoon. He is set to face court on Wednesday, November 6.
His arrest and detention have been christened witch-hunt by his lawyer.    

Mr Martin Kpebu said his client is being hounded for advocating an independent police service at a forum organised by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), a few months ago.

“This was a man who a few months ago did a brilliant presentation at IDEG. He only said that the police service is no independent so they want the police service to be made independent. So that they can execute their duties professionally. The things he said, were obvious. It was no brainer,” he explained. 

Bemoaning the violations of his client's rights which have led to the hunger strike, he said: “If you see the kind of people who were interviewing us, you will see that, no, this was a witch hunt, it was not treason.

“A trial for treason, you would have seen very senior officers there. We were interviewed by kids. They were reading and holding on to words out of context. It was so farcical,” incensed Martin Kpebu said on Tuesday night.

According to him, “We should call out the BNI that under the constitution that allows ( they) themselves to operate, detainees, accused persons and suspects all have rights.”

Mr Kpebu also cited the shabby treatment meted out to the family of Mr Agordzo at the BNI to further illustrate his point.

“He has a right to consult with his counsel, right to be visited by family, but what they did today was a total setback. For a moment, I was wondering whether this was 1979 in Ghana or 1980; I’m like what is this,” he quizzed.