A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team Ibrahim Halidu says politicians who make inflammatory or unlawful public remarks must be held accountable, as debate continues over the detention of the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe popularly known as Abronye DC.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (23 May) Halidu said public discourse in Ghana had increasingly crossed legal boundaries, including alleged threats, defamation and hate speech.

The private legal practitioner further argued that while freedom of expression must be protected, it does not extend to conduct that breaches the law.

“We live in a country where people can go on social media, say whatever they want to say, threaten people, defame people, spread hate speech,” he said.

He added that political leaders in particular must exercise restraint in public communication.

“When you look at what Abronye said it crossed legal and constitutional boundaries. He is a regional chairman and sometimes some of the things he says goes overboard,” Halidu said.

He stated that individuals who engage in threats, insults or hate speech should face consequences under the law.

“The moment you go overboard to insult, threaten and make hate speeches then you have gone beyond your boundaries and the law must deal with you,” he added.

The NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye), who has been granted bail set at 100,000 cedis following his arrest and long detention by a circuit court judge. .

The opposition NPP has also petitioned the Chief Justice, raising concerns over the conduct of the judge handling the case.