The arrest came after an alleged coup plot to murder then President Kwame Nkrumah and other ministers was discovered. Known as the Preventive Detention Act, J.B. Danquah and alleged leaders of the strike movement were arrested on October 3, 1961 over their involvement in the plot to murder the president and sow discontent in the country. J.B. Danquah who was arrested along with others, was the 1960 presidential candidate of the United People Party. Some other four arrested members of parliament subsequently had their seats in house revoked with by-elections held in their respective constituencies. J.B. Danquah later died in prison on February 4, 1965
