‘Verbal Coup Threats Shouldn’t Warrant Arrests’ – Obed Asamoah

A former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Obed Asamoah, has suggested that the security should not be arresting people for allegedly making comments about coup or threatening coup d’etat merely by word of mouth.

In his view, a person should be arrested over threats of a coup if there is ample evidence that the person intends to and has already taken some steps or actions towards the execution of the coup.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, Dr. Obed Asamoah said he believes comments about possible coup d’etats are borne out of excitement and do not necessarily mean there is an intention to carry it out.

“There is a difference between speech and action. [If I were the Attorney General] I will take action only when there is evidence of preparation to carry out a coup. If somebody is only talking, I will just take it to be over-excitement. I won’t go arresting people for that,” he said.