Asamoah-Boateng sues BNI

Ex-Information Minister, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng Ex-Information Minister, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, has sued the Bureau of National Investigation(BNI) for contempt. The suit was instigated after the BNI prevented Mr. Boateng and his family from traveling out of the country, though a court of competent jurisdiction had permitted them to. According to Mr. Asamoah-Boateng, he is not and has not been subjected to any investigation by the BNI, though he had earlier turned himself up at the Bureau where he was told that he had not been invited there. Asabee claims the BNI, the Police or no other organization has charged him with any offence. He therefore, prays the court to restrain the BNI from abusing his freedom of movement and the interference in the court’s proceedings. The writ stated that “ since final judicial power is allocated to the courts, no person can interfere with the administration of justice, that if the contemnors intend that I shall not travel abroad, a condition precedent will be to apply to the court for an order or warrant restraining me from traveling abroad.” Furthermore, the contemnors do not have the power or discretion to ignore the court or interfere with my freedom of movement in and out of Ghana without recourse to the court.” Information gathered by the Daily Guide reveals that BNI agents stormed the home of Asamoah-Boateng’s mother-in-law over the weekend to demand his whereabouts. The agents are reported to have pitched camp at the entrance of the house, monitoring people moving in and out of the house. Nonetheless, some legal luminaries have described this development as unconstitutional and an abuse of power. Source: Daily Guide/Ghana/