Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Awutu Senya East constituency in the Central Region, who was arrested and detained by the police on Friday, June 7, has been released.
She was released on Saturday morning, although the police have yet to publicly comment on the issue.
The NDC has called an immediate press conference to address the arrest, which was initially brought to light by the NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi. Mr. Gyamfi stated that the police did not provide any reason for her arrest and subsequent detention, characterizing the situation as an attempt to silence the NDC.
Grassroots supporters of the NDC gathered at the Cantonments Police Station in Accra, where Okunor was detained, to show their support.
The arrest stemmed from an incident on Sunday, June 2, 2024, when three individuals, including Okunor, were arrested at Ofaakor for possessing a firearm without lawful authority. They were apprehended while traveling in a Honda CRV near the Electoral Commission Office at Ofaakor, and a pump-action gun with four rounds of ammunition was seized from the vehicle.
In an interview on Wednesday, June 5, Okunor clarified that she was invited by the police rather than formally arrested. She explained that the firearm found in her car was legally licensed and obtained for self-protection against the incumbent NPP MP and Minister for Fisheries, Hawa Koomson, citing previous altercations where she was allegedly attacked by the MP.
Prior to the firearm-related arrest, a clash between NDC and NPP supporters occurred at the EC’s office in Ofaakor during the ongoing votes transfer exercise. This altercation resulted in the stabbing of Ato Koomson, son of the incumbent MP and Minister for Fisheries, who was hospitalized. The suspect involved in the stabbing has also been arrested and detained.
It remains unclear whether Okunor’s subsequent arrest is connected to the stabbing incident or solely pertains to the firearm possession charge.