BNI arrests Ghanaian-Lebanese author

• Posted on September 26, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

THE Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) is reportedly holding a Ghanaian-Lebanese pilot and author for making offensive statements against President John Mahama in his book.

Fadi Samih Dabbousi was arrested around mid-day on Friday upon arrival from an Egypt Air flight from Lebanon.

He was picked up at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and driven to the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) headquarters in Accra.

According to Mr. Dabbousi’s lawyer, Hassan Tampuli, his client was picked up from the airport on the invitation of the Director of BNI.

“I have been to the office of the BNI and I was denied access to him. I was told the officer responsible for the case was not in the office and that I can have access to him only on Monday,” Mr Tampulisaid.

Mr Dabbousiis believed to be a sympathizer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Muhammad MutawakiluZakaria, 30, who was at KIA to pick up MrDabbousi said “when I arrived at KIA, I called MrDabbousiand he told me he had been arrested by the BNI, and he did not know the reason,” Zakaria said.

According to Zakaria, the BNI agents drove him (Zakaria) and MrDabbousi in separate vehicles, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Toyota Corolla, to MrDabbousi’s residence, where the agents ransacked the house and took away MrDabbousi’s personal belongings, including items bearing the name of New Patriotic Party.

“The agents searched our house completely and took away MrDabbousi’s citizenship documents, pen drives, laptop, and six desktop computers,” Zakariasaid.

MrDabbousi publishes the newspaper,Alert Ghana, from his home office.

He is also the author of a book titled ‘59 Years To Nowhere: The Future Is Now,’ a book said to be critical of President Mahama.

The story first broke on social media, where it was claimed that Mr. Dabbousi’s house has been ransacked and all copies of his books taken.

Some opposition NPP sympathizers and human rights activists have condemned the act on social media.

This book details a meticulous and a comprehensive listing of corruption under President John Mahama.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph BenefoDarkwa, Public Relations Officer of BNI, could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off.

-The Finder