Former Vice-President says he neither complained nor authorised the prosecution of Prince Aboagye over alleged offensive TikTok comments.
Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, has called on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of a National Democratic Congress Branch Organiser accused of publishing false news and making offensive comments about him.
In a statement issued by his Communications Directorate on Wednesday, July 22, Dr Bawumia said he had neither filed a complaint against the accused person nor authorised anybody to initiate criminal proceedings on his behalf.
“The attention of the Office of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been drawn to the arrest and arraignment of an organiser of the National Democratic Congress in Agona West, who is being prosecuted for allegedly publishing false news and making offensive comments about Dr. Bawumia,” the statement said.
The accused, Prince Aboagye, is a branch organiser of the NDC in the Agona West Constituency and a lotto agent. He has been charged with offensive conduct conducive to a breach of the peace and the publication of false news.
He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of GH¢200,000 with three sureties, one of whom must justify the bail with landed property. The case has been adjourned to August 19, 2026.
‘I did not lodge a complaint’
Dr Bawumia stated “clearly and unequivocally” that he had not lodged any complaint against Mr Aboagye or sanctioned his prosecution.
“Dr. Bawumia wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that he has neither lodged any complaint nor sanctioned any prosecution against this young man or any other citizen,” the statement said.
“He does not desire, and will not endorse, the arrest or prosecution of any Ghanaian in his name for speech.”
The position taken by Dr Bawumia is consistent with the prosecution’s account in court that the complainant in the case is the Ghana Police Service, rather than the former Vice-President.
According to the prosecution, the Police became aware of a video published on the TikTok account @atutulagh, allegedly operated by Mr Aboagye, in which he was said to have made false and offensive allegations against Dr Bawumia.
The Police alleged that the video contained accusations of murder, theft and extramarital relationships involving the former Vice-President.
The prosecution said Mr Aboagye was arrested on July 19 and admitted during investigations that he had recorded and published the video. He is also reported to have told investigators that the allegations contained in the video were false.
‘The answer to offensive speech is better speech’
Dr Bawumia argued that political leaders should respond to insults and false allegations with facts and superior arguments rather than the machinery of the state.
“Dr. Bawumia has been the subject of insults and falsehoods throughout his public life. He has never responded with the instruments of state power, and he will not begin now,” the statement said.
“His conviction remains that the answer to offensive speech is better speech, and the answer to falsehood is truth, not handcuffs, courtrooms, and crushing bail conditions imposed on ordinary Ghanaians.”
He consequently appealed directly to the Police and the Attorney-General to terminate the proceedings.
“He therefore respectfully calls on the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General to discontinue this prosecution and any similar actions purportedly undertaken on his behalf, and to release the young man to return to his family and his livelihood,” the statement added.
Dr Bawumia maintained that protecting the right of citizens to express opposing views was necessary for the growth of Ghana’s democracy.
“Ghana’s democracy is strengthened when citizens, including those who oppose us, can speak freely without fear,” he said.
The former Vice-President also said he had forgiven Mr Aboagye and wished him well, while urging political actors to focus their attention on the pressing issues affecting Ghanaians.
“Dr. Bawumia forgives the young man, wishes him well, and urges all political actors to channel their energies toward the issues that matter to the Ghanaian people,” the statement concluded.
By Wisdom Sarfo
