Weija-Gbawe Member of Parliament in the Greater Accra Region, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has come to the defense of Mohammed Zakou, an activist of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), following his arrest over a controversial Facebook post about Vice President Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

Zakou was taken into custody after he posted a photo of the Vice President on April 4, 2025, with the caption “Rest well, Your Excellency,” accompanied by crying emojis.

The post, shared around 4:00 a.m., sparked widespread public backlash, with many interpreting it as a suggestion that the Vice President had passed away.

The incident occurred shortly after an official government statement disclosed that Prof. Opoku-Agyemang was receiving medical attention at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) following a sudden illness on March 28, 2025.

The statement also revealed that she would be seeking additional treatment abroad.

 MP Jerry Ahmed Shaib stated that Zakou’s post was misunderstood and not intended to be malicious. According to him, the activist’s message was simply a plea for the Vice President to take some rest after a gruelling campaign.

“The guy’s statement said that the Vice President is like a mother to him, and she went through a tough campaign.

He believes she is tired and should take some rest,” Shaib said.

“I will not encourage anybody to say ‘rest in peace,’ but people have said similar things about President Akufo-Addo.”

Shaib further criticised the security services for what he described as an unlawful detention of Zakou, claiming he was held for more than 48 hours in breach of legal protocols.

“Even if he had said ‘rest in peace,’ must he be kept in custody for more than 48 hours?” he questioned.

Zakou appeared before the Achimota Circuit Court on Monday, April 14, 2025, and was granted bail to the tune of GH₵100,000 with two sureties.

As part of his bail conditions, he is required to report weekly to the investigating officer.

The case has been adjourned to May 12, 2025, for a case management conference.

The MP defended the activist while speaking in an interview on Oyerepa FM on Tuesday.