National Organizer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Boadu has scoffed at what he says is government’s attempt to use freed former Nkoranza North Member of Parliament, Eric Amoateng to divert attention from the unbridled hardships in the country.
According to him, the “rambo style” arrest of the ex-MP by officials of the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) when he arrived in the country after serving a ten-year jail term for drug related offences is just for “propaganda purposes”. Eric Amoateng was arrested on December 11, 2005 for illegal possession of 136 pounds of heroin in the United States. The street value of the drugs was about $6 million.
He was then sentenced to a 10-year jail term by a US court presided over by Judge David G. Tragger on December 12, 2007.
But his problems seem far from over after he is reportedly being investigated for obtaining a passport fraudulently.
He is currently at the offices of NACOB for a debriefing session and will be handed over to the police.
But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Thursday, John Boadu said he is not surprised by the current development.
He indicated that typical with the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), they always want to use something to cover up their inefficiencies.
The NPP National Organizer urged party members not to be coerced into commenting on this disgraceful act by government.
“We [NPP] must not worry ourselves arguing over this to divert attention; let’s focus on the crippling economic situation and hold government accountable,” he added.
John Boadu urged the police to do their work professionally and deal with Mr. Amoateng if found culpable of any wrong doing.
But, the Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Board Akrasi Sarpong has dismissed accusations that NACOB is witch-hunting former Nkoranza North MP. He explained that the debriefing session is a normal routine every drug related ex-convict goes through.
“Why should Amoateng be treated differently,?” he demanded.
Akrasi Sarpong lashed out at critics whom he said have decided to make political capital out of the situation, saying NACOB will carry out its duties without fear or favour.