Former Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro Member of Parliament (MP), Sylvester Tetteh, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of using state institutions to intimidate opposition voices, insisting that such actions will not silence critics.

He said the alleged intimidation by the government was "nothing new," claiming it had been happening "from January 7, 2025" when President John Mahama was sworn into office.

According to him, the media and journalists had witnessed similar incidents, having visited the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) office "more than 10 times" over various cases, while questioning the outcomes of those investigations.

'Miracles Is Not a Minister or CEO'

Speaking on the arrest of former Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD) Executive Secretary Dennis Edward Aboagye, popularly known as "Miracles", Tetteh questioned the basis of the allegations against him.

He said Miracles Aboagye was not a minister or the chief executive officer of a state-owned enterprise, but rather "these allegations have been levelled against him as a coordinator.

"No contract has been awarded under his [tenure]. He's never signed a cheque. And the World Bank has not released any report about any lost monies connected to its project. So what is the essence [of this]?"

He described the arrest as part of "the same tactics of intimidation" and alleged that it followed Miracles Aboagye's decision to seek a national executive position within the NPP.

"The day Miracle said he wants a national officer position in the party, was the day they knew they'd pick him up," he said.

'You Cannot Silence Decent Voices'

Sylvester Tetteh insisted that the NDC government would not succeed in suppressing critics.

He said the NDC government can "never silence decent voices of this country."

He alleged that some leading NDC members had openly indicated plans to use state institutions such as EOCO to "intimidate the opposition party," describing such actions as "disgraceful".

He highlighted the resilience of the NPP, saying the party had "been in the wilderness for years, and fought our way to power."

"And I can assure them, Miracles will not be [detained] here forever."

He cautioned the government that the electorate was watching what he described as an injustice.

EOCO Should Have Invited Miracles With Lawyers

Tetteh said it would have been appropriate for EOCO to invite Miracles Aboagye to provide a statement in the presence of his lawyers if investigators had made progress in their probe.

He stressed that EOCO was not a court of law.

"EOCO is not a courtroom. They hear and decide cases in court."

He also criticised EOCO Chief Executive Officer Raymond Archer, reminding him of the institution's existence beyond individual office holders.

He said, "Raymond Archer must know EOCO existed long before he was born, and EOCO will live on after him. Every public officer is transcient. Power is transcient."

'The Elephant Never Forgets'

The former MP accused EOCO of deliberately delaying the process and predicted that strict bail conditions could be imposed on Miracles Aboagye.

He said: "They'll wait till evening, and, for your bail, tell you to go and bring Jesus' beard."

He also issued a warning to the NDC government, saying: "The elephant never forgets," referring to the NPP's symbol.

He expressed confidence that Miracles Aboagye would be released, citing the party's supportive "law-abiding" followers.

"We believe in democracy," he underlined.

'NPP Used the Courts, Not Intimidation'

Sylvester Tetteh accused former President John Evans Atta-Mills and then Vice President John Mahama of making corruption allegations against the NPP for eight years without results.

He contrasted that with the NPP's approach when it was in government, saying suspected NDC officials were taken before the courts.

"Did you see any such foolishness from us? Excuse my language. What's happening now is distasteful. It's one too many," he decried.

He argued that investigative institutions were not created for persecution, intimidation or silencing opposition voices.

He concluded with a warning: "You cannot intimidate the NPP, you cannot intimidate the elephant. There are thousands of Miracles out there [who] will continue to speak."