N/E Region: Concerns grow over criminalisation of free speech as police invite resident for criticising MCE

By Fiifi Malik April 28, 2026

A resident of Langbisi in the Gambaga District of the North East Region, Sham-na has been invited by the Gambaga District Police Command for questioning, for criticising the Municipal Chief Executive for Nalerigu-Gambia Bereche David Bukari, on WhatsApp.

In a letter from the police to Sham-na, signed by the District Police Commander, the police said it is inviting Sham-na to “assist in an ongoing investigations, “which the police added is in “relation to a WhatsApp post you made on a platform” on April 24, 2026.

According to the police letter, Sham-na, “without provocation” wrote that: “disgrace MCE, does he even fit to be an MCE self If not for Nalerigu/Gambaga.”

The letter directs Mr. Sham-na to appear before the police today Tuesday April 28, 2026 at the.

Meanwhle, with the MCE also head of security in the Gambaga-Nalerigu Municipal area with administrative oversight on the police, many have raised concerns about the involvement of the police, accusing the MCE of abuse of office.

Some residents, who shared the police invitation with us, said the police invitation has gone viral on WhatsApp platforms in district and region, and has angered so many people.

“This is nothing but an abuse of office and criminalisation of free speech,” said an angry resident.

“How can a while police commander invite a citizen for criticising a municipal chief executive on WhatsApp? Is the MCE above the law? This is only happening because the MCE is the head of security and he has control over the police.”