Lawyer for media personality, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart, has accused the government of abuse of power, attack on media freedom and infringement of the rights of his client.

Abraham Amaliba argued that despite satisfying all bail conditions, his client was kept in police custody.

“Detention of Captain Smart by the state security agencies, at a time when the court had granted him bail, is a complete abuse of state power and it is also an infringement upon his rights.”

“When a court of competent jurisdiction grants an accused person bail, it does not lie in the mouth of a state agency, such as the National Security, to then engage in machinations to deny that person the bail,” Mr. Amaliba stated.

According to him, “this amounts to the oppression and suppression of dissenting views as has been the case under this administration and an attack on press freedom.”

Meanwhile, the Management of Onua TV and Onua FM, have expressed solidarity over the arrest and detention of Captain Smart.

In a statement issued on February 3, the Head of the station, Bismark Nana Apeanti, disclosed that since the issue came up, Management has been embarking on the necessary follow-ups, to ascertain the wellbeing of their embattled employee.

“Captain Smart is going to prove his innocence in court to all charges levelled against him and as a consequence, Management hopes for fair treatment and trial for him and for his DJ. The case is expected to be back in court on 3rd March 2022”, portions of a statement dated February 3 read.

Reacting to the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, February 3, the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi said the detention of the journalist by National Security Operatives is a reflection of the government’s nontolerance for critical voices. He, therefore, wondered when the ‘tyranny’ will stop.