The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East in the Central Region, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, has clarified that she was not arrested in connection with the recent violent incident during a vote transfer exercise at Ofaakor near Kasoa.

Ms Okunor explained that the police merely invited her after her driver and security guard were arrested due to the discovery of a licensed gun in her car.

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, the Ghana Police Service issued a statement claiming that three individuals were arrested at Ofaakor for possession of a firearm without lawful authority. 

The suspects, including Ms. Okunor, Mustapha Mohammed, and Abdul Aziz Musah, were apprehended while onboard a Honda CRV car with registration number GX-2044-19 near the Electoral Commission Office at Ofaakor.

• Read also: I bought the gun to protect myself against Hawa Koomson – NDC’s Awutu Senya East PC

During the arrest, a pump-action gun with four rounds of ammunition was retrieved from the vehicle. The police's statement suggested that Ms. Okunor was among those arrested.

However, in an interview with Accra-based Citi FM on Wednesday, June 5, Ms. Okunor emphasised that she was only invited by the police and not formally arrested. 

She reiterated that the firearm found in her car was legally licensed.

“I have never been arrested. Yes, I was invited to the police station. I was not arrested. I was there because I had to go there.

“My driver was arrested, and my security guard was arrested because a licensed gun was found in my car…It was far away from the registration centre," she said.

Meanwhile, she also stated that she acquired a gun to protect herself against Hawa Koomson, the incumbent MP for the constituency.

According to Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, she faced multiple threats from Hawa Koomson during the 2020 elections, but the police took no action.