Lawyer and political figure Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has supported Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin amidst the escalating controversy surrounding criticism of a Circuit Court judge handling the case involving New Patriotic Party (NPP) Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

In a social media post on Wednesday (20 May), Otchere-Darko defended Afenyo-Markin’s criticism of the judge and framed the issue as one that extends beyond party politics and touches on broader democratic rights and freedoms.

Defense of Free Expression and Leadership

Praising Afenyo-Markin for standing up against judicial actions that raised concerns over free expression and due process, Otchere-Darko emphasized the need for bold leadership.

“Leadership requires courage. Timidity can never be a leadership option,” he wrote.

He stated that the matter should not be viewed solely through a political lens involving the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition NPP.

“It is mistaken to view this through the narrow prism of NPP versus NDC,” he said, arguing that the implications extended to broader questions around freedom of speech and civil liberties.

Warnings Against Public Fear

Otchere-Darko also warned against developments that could create fear among citizens over expressing opinions publicly, particularly among younger people increasingly using social media platforms to engage in public discourse.

“Today it may be a political activist. Tomorrow it could be the journalist, the radio commentator, the student, the taxi driver, or the ordinary young Ghanaian with a smartphone and an opinion,” he said.

He added that while the law should be enforced against individuals who violate it, this should not come at the expense of due process and constitutional rights.