The Ghana Police Service has strongly denied allegations made by the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, which claim that high-ranking police officials ordered the arrest of three individuals including the party’s Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor due to directives from superior authorities.
The Ghana Police Service, in a statement, vehemently denounced a video circulating online capturing Mr Asiedu Nketia asserting that the Accra Regional Police Commander, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the Inspector-General of Police had acknowledged to him that the arrest was influenced by an “order from above”.
“We would like to categorically state that the claims are false and without any bases. None of the officers mentioned in the video has at any point in time made any such pronouncement”.
Ghana Police Service
The Ghana Police Service, while denouncing Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s allegation stated that the incident in question involves the arrest of three suspects who were found in possession of a Pump Action gun with four rounds of ammunition.
According to the statement, the discovery occurred at the Electoral Commission’s office in Ofaakor, located within the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central Region, adding that the arrests were made solely based on the evidence found during the routine check and not due to any external directive.
The statement further recounted that following their arrest, the three suspects have been identified and cautioned on various offences with Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency facing charges related to the transfer of firearms without authority.
The statement also noted that one Abdulai Aziz and Mustapha Mohammed have been cautioned for possessing firearms without the requisite authority, underscoring the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to the rule of law and justice.
“The Ghana Police Service has cautioned and subsequently granted bail to three persons who were arrested when a Pump Action gun with four rounds of ammunition was found in their vehicle at the offices of the Electoral Commission at Ofaakor in the Awutu Senya East constituency of the Central region”.
Ghana Police Service
Court Remands Suspect in Kasoa EC’s Office Disturbances
In a related development, the Ghana Police Service’s statement recounted that on Thursday, June 6, 2024, the court remanded another suspect, Usman Haruna, into police custody, who is accused of stabbing an individual during the disturbances at the Electoral Commission’s office in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.
The statement added that Mr Usman Haruna is scheduled to reappear in court on June 19, 2024.
In addition, the Ghana Police Service’s statement disclosed that it is investigating the incidents thoroughly, adding that the case docket is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General for further review and legal advice.
The Police Service’s statement also affirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all actions are guided by evidence and legal procedures, free from external influences.
In an earlier statement, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia strongly cautioned the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to be circumspect as the 2024 general elections approach.
Mr Nketiah, while addressing a press conference after the release of the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, from police custody argued that no Ghanaian law was drafted to intimidate or coerce citizens and will therefore not allow any state agency to intimidate sympathisers of the opposition party.
He reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress’s commitment to demand and fight for the rights of its members to be respected at all times.
