“Gagging MPs Is Lawless”: Fordjour Thanks Bawumia for Support After NIB Raid Attempt

Assin South MP Reverend John Ntim Fordjour has spoken out strongly against what he calls a “politically motivated and lawless act of harassment”, following a failed attempt by National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) operatives to arrest him at his residence in Spintex, Accra.

The dramatic incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, April 9, has sparked nationwide concern about the use of state security for political ends, especially with general elections looming.

The MP, who also serves as the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, was reportedly targeted for arrest without a warrant—an act that was only prevented after senior members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stormed the scene to halt the operation.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Fordjour thanked former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for visiting him in a show of solidarity that he described as timely and encouraging.

“Thank you very much, HE Dr Mahamudu Bawumia @MBawumia, for the visit to my residence this evening following the politically motivated lawless act of harassment,” he wrote.
“In the attempt of the NDC government to gag MPs from exercising their legitimate oversight, your visit meant a lot.”

In a brief interaction with journalists later that evening, Fordjour was visibly shaken but resolute. He described the incident as an attempt by the current government to erode parliamentary independence and suppress legitimate checks on executive power.

“When a government begins to send masked operatives to a Member of Parliament’s home without a warrant, it is not just harassment. It is a message—they want us to sit down and be quiet. But we will not be gagged,” he said.

“Parliament is the people’s voice. Silencing us is silencing democracy.”

Earlier accounts from former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul confirmed the raid, noting that more than 15 heavily armed individuals, some in masks and plain clothes, had surrounded the MP’s residence. Nitiwul, who arrived at the scene shortly after receiving a distress call, recounted how one operative allegedly claimed his “face was a warrant”.

“We asked them, ‘Do you have a warrant?’ and they said no,” Nitiwul said. “One officer told us, ‘I’m a senior person. My face is enough.’ That’s lawlessness.”

Legal analysts have also condemned the incident, warning that if such actions go unchecked, they could set a dangerous precedent where security agencies are used to intimidate political opponents without due process.

Despite the ordeal, Fordjour has vowed to continue his parliamentary duties with even more resolve.

“They may try to intimidate us, but I am not backing down. I was elected to serve my people and to hold power accountable, and that is exactly what I will continue to do.”

He also hinted that the parliamentary leadership will be taking up the matter formally and may demand an inquiry into the incident and the role of the NIB.

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