Madina MP and human rights lawyer, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has advised some former government appointees who believe their rights have been violated in recent arrests to seek redress through legal channels rather than rely solely on public condemnation.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Hon. Sosu acknowledged concerns about recent arrests of former government appointees by state security agencies. However, he emphasized that human rights advocacy should not be an excuse for wrongdoing.
“Human rights do not endorse wrongdoing. It is about substantive and procedural law. If an arrest is conducted based on a bench warrant, it is difficult to describe it as unlawful or a breach of fundamental rights,” – he stated.
His comments come amid growing concerns over the conduct of security agencies, with accusations that some raids and arrests have been politically motivated. The Minority in Parliament has particularly raised issues about the treatment of some former officials, including a reported raid on the home of a former Bank of Ghana Governor and the case of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, who has filed legal action against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) over his designation as a “wanted person.”
Addressing these claims, Hon. Sosu argued that mere allegations are not enough and that the legal system provides clear remedies for rights violations.
“If anyone feels their rights have been violated—whether in respect of an arrest, prosecution, or detention—they have the right to seek remedies in court. That is the best way forward,” he advised.
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He cited his own past experiences, recalling instances when he challenged what he believed were unlawful attempts to arrest him during protests.
“When the then IGP was coming after me over demonstrations, I took the matter to court. That is how human rights protection works—not just through public condemnation but by using the legal system to seek justice,” – he noted.
The Madina MP also cautioned against what he described as political misinformation, stating that not all claims of human rights violations hold up under scrutiny.
“There is a difference between making claims and proving them. We have seen instances where allegations, including those made by the Minority Leader, were later found to be false. We must be careful not to jump on every claim without evidence,” – he stressed.
Despite his stance, Sosu reiterated his commitment to defending human rights and the rule of law, adding that where genuine abuses occur, they must be addressed through legal and constitutional means.
His remarks add to the ongoing debate over the balance between security, political accountability, and human rights in Ghana, as legal battles—including Ken Ofori-Atta’s suit against the OSP—continue to unfold.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu