Ghanaian Govt Responds To David Hundeyin Over Refugee Status, Alleged Repatriation Request By Nigeria

By Mayowa Oladeji On Oct 24, 2023

Controversial journalist, David Hundeyin, has elicited polarising comments from X users, on Tuesday, after a detailed statement issued by the Ghanaian Government over his refugee status.

Hundeyin, in September 2023, had implored Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghanaian President, and members of the Ghana security services to resist Nigerian security agencies’ covert pressure to revoke his refugee status and repatriate him to Nigeria.

Hundeyin’s appeal comes in the wake of his investigative articles scrutinising Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s alleged drug-related history and questionable academic qualifications, particularly his Chicago State University degree. Hundeyin alleges that ever since these exposés, he has faced relentless harassment.

Speaking via his official social media account, Hundeyin stated his case on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, through a 16-minute video message.

In the video, he accused President Tinubu of plotting a personal vendetta against him, specifically for leaking confidential information about his personal life and, most recently, the Nigerian army’s plans to attack the Niger Republic.

“So I want to urge the Ghanaian president to resist the temptation to allow an illegitimate Nigerian president to push Ghana into breaking international law,” David Hundeyin pleaded in the video.

Ghana Responds

However, the Ghanaian Government, has responded via an official memo which surfaced online on October 24. The memo was dated October 1.

The Chairperson of the Ghana Refugee Board, GRB, Kenneth Attafuah, told Mr Hundeyin that it was not true that the board or the Ghanaian government was contacted by the Nigerian government extradite him.

Mr Attafuah, a professor and lawyer, said the board decided to reach the journalist after considering his allegations in the video clip during an emergency meeting of the board members on 29 September.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it is not within the contemplation of the GRB to repatriate you to Nigeria. There is absolutely no need or reason for that; your fear of being refouled lacks supporting verification, and is not well-founded.

“The unproven allegations and apparently defamatory statements you make in your video against the sitting president of Nigeria from Ghanaian soil have strong political ramifications and national security potential implications and could engender needless diplomatic row between our two sister countries. You are respectfully urged to desist from such conduct even as you freely practice your trade as a professional journalist,” he said.

The GRB chairperson told the journalist that although the board has no intention of withdrawing or cancelling his refugee status, he must obey and respect the laws of Ghana and observe the provisions of Rights and Obligations of Asylum Seekers.

“The GRB is completely unaware of any of the astonishing allegations of criminality you attribute to the President of Nigeria and the Nigerian Government or any of its security agencies.

“As a creature of statute, the GRB acts within the four corners of its statutory mandate, and in accordance with applicable international law, as a result, it is unable to assume responsibilities falling outside the scope of its statutory mandate or meet some of your grand expectations of it,” he stated.

Consequently, users on X have reacted to this development and here is a cross-section:

https://twitter.com/King_Inspires/status/1716707662950187022?t=zqcGV-eckzo7gEbeakhdVw&s=19

Ghanaian Government is pouring pepper into Your favourite David Hundeyin's eyes.
We told you all he was saying were tales by the moonlight.
If Nigeria wanted him, Ghana would have him delivered in a strait jacket. pic.twitter.com/MRqBF2xj0r

— Foundational Yorùbá Boy (@Chrisbamidele) October 24, 2023

Now you all can understand why David Hundeyin was online begging for money!
He knows his time in Ghana is limited if he continues his blackma!ling business!The Ghana government will throw him out! He has been warned by Ghana government.
The fact that some intelligent folks… pic.twitter.com/YYJrOXEDPZ

— Otunba GCFRN (@beninghone) October 24, 2023

https://twitter.com/AmodaOgunlere/status/1716677260776783952?t=jn-4ztLE-dGEXIeA7W43wQ&s=19

https://twitter.com/jagabanolu/status/1716627521519698294?t=8EmlSJi-OI3ZwBtsoWVaLA&s=19

Imagine Ghana reminding Davind Hundeyin "At this time of your recognition as a refugee…Rights and Obligation of asylum seekers, you were urged to abide by its contents.

"Based on the foregoing, you are hereby reminded of your bounden duty to respect the laws of Ghana"….… pic.twitter.com/NqOZOLEMF1

— Taiwo_Ajakaye (@dmightyangel) October 24, 2023

Ghanaian Refugee Commission to David Hundeyin: we did not issue you a passport.
Your allegation of repatriation is false. Nobody asked us to send you home.
Don't meddle in our politics or that of ur home country.

Atikubidients: Ghana can not be trusted.

Cursed people.

— John Oyesile, MPSN (@OyesileJohn) October 24, 2023