The Dansoman Circuit Court has granted bail to Hopeson Adorye, a prominent member of the Movement for Change, setting the amount at GH¢20,000 with two sureties.
Adorye was arrested and appeared in court on Thursday, May 23, 2024, facing charges of publishing false news. As part of his bail conditions, he is required to report to the police station every Monday to assist with ongoing investigations.
The controversy began during an interview on Accra FM, where Adorye made startling claims that dynamite blasts in the Volta Region were used to intimidate voters in opposition areas.
“Before the elections, dynamite was blasted in parts of the Volta Region, scaring many people,” Adorye alleged. He suggested that this tactic significantly lowered voter turnout, ultimately benefiting the NPP. “After voting in Tema, I went to the Volta Region. When I inquired about voter turnout, it was clear that many people had not come out to vote.”
His statements have sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Prominent broadcaster Kwame Sefa Kayi, host of Peace FM’s Kokrokoo show, was among those demanding Adorye’s immediate arrest and a thorough investigation into his claims.
Adorye also mentioned during the interview that by 2 p.m. on election day, voter turnout in the Volta Region was unusually low, which he interpreted as a lack of support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in their traditional stronghold.
Former Member of Parliament for Adentan, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, described Adorye’s arrest as politically motivated. He suggested that the police were acting on higher orders, indicating that the arrest might not be an independent decision.
“This seems like an attempt to silence him and intimidate the Movement for Change. It won’t work. I firmly believe this is politically motivated,” said Buaben Asamoa.
Adorye’s arrest followed his explosive comments on an Accra-based radio station, which have since gone viral. He alleged that dynamite blasts in the Volta Region during the 2016 General Elections were intended to suppress voter turnout in opposition strongholds.
