According to the civil society organization, Save the Nation for Future Leaders, there are conflicting accounts of the arrest and release of the suspect.
ADVERTISEMENT
Suale's death: Group gives IGP 21 days to clarify arrest and release of suspect
The Inspector General of Police has been given a 21-day ultimatum to clarify circumstances under which a suspect was arrested and released in connection with the murder of undercover journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu
Recommended articles
The group said the circumstances under which a suspect was released leaves many questions unanswered.
In a petition to the IGP, it said the conflicting accounts is a development of mistrust in the police administration .
The CID boss in April held a press conference to brief Ghanaians about investigations into the murder of Hussein-Suale, who was killed on January 16, 2019 at Madina.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to Maame Yaa Tiwaa, 13 suspects have been questioned, including Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and Anas Aremeyaw Anas.
She stated that one suspect is currently on remand assisting the police in investigations over the murder.
The acting Accra Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwaku Boadu-Peprah on his part also said: "the suspect Abdul Rashid Meizongo, 29, was arrested at a mall in Accra after he attempted bribing officers with officers with GH¢200,000, which they declined."
The suspect was however set free after failing to link him to the murder.
But the civil society organization said the IGP and the police administration must clarify circumstances under which the suspect was released.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I, the undersigned, a citizen of Ghana, appeal to you, Inspector General of Police, to institute investigation into the arrest and release of a suspected killer of the late Ahmed Hussein-Suale and to give a detailed explanation to Ghanaians on issues thereof.
"…Having made strides in the case, it was only expedient for the Police Service to make diligent moves in relation to the release of the suspect. In a case of such national and international concern and which made the Police promise monetary reward for informants, it was only a confirmation of incompetence and bias when the suspect was released on the basis of wrong identity when a member of the late journalist’s family admitted to being part of the team that was involved in the swoop.
"There are conflicting accounts of the arrest and release of the suspect and while the public does not find that of the CID credible, it finds that of the family and Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong credible. I, therefore, appeal to your office to respect the concerns of Ghanaians and act upon them to safeguard our democracy and faith in your outfit. In view of this, Save The Nation For Future Leaders is giving the Police Service a 21-day ultimatum to clarify issues concerning the arrest and release of the suspect. At the expiration of the ultimatum and without any engagement, we will have no option but to demonstrate against the Service," the petition signed by Kwadwo Atta Apeakorang, the Founder and President of the civil society organization stated.
Below is the full petition to the IGP:
SAVE THE NATION FOR FUTURE LEADERS
ADVERTISEMENT
A PETITION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE ON ISSUES RELATING TO THE ARREST OF AHMED HUSSEIN-SUALE’S SUSPECTED MURDERER
Background
On April 2, 2019, Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service,COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa, addressed the press and revealed that one suspected murderer of Ahmed Hussein-Suale (shot dead on January 6, 2019) was set free following resistance by patrons of a pub where the suspect was arrested by one police officer. In a response from the family of the late undercover journalist, the suspect was arrested with support from patrons of the pub and other people and handed over to a team of security officers that was patrolling the area. The family also challenged such details provided by the Director-General as the location of the arrest.
Ahmed Hussein-Suale, Investigative journalist
Pulse Ghana
Declaration
ADVERTISEMENT
I, the undersigned, a citizen of Ghana, appeal to you, Inspector General of Police, to institute investigation into the arrest and release of a suspected killer of the late Ahmed Hussein-Suale and to give a detailed explanation to Ghanaians on issues thereof.
………………….
Kwadwo Atta Apeakorang
On January 6, 2019, a member of Tiger Eye PI, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, was shot dead by unknown assailants riding on a motor bicycle. Subsequent to this unfortunate incident, Ghanaians, especially those in the media and in corruption fight, expressed their fury and disappointment. In the address by the Director-General of the CID, it was revealed that up until April 2, at least a total of thirteen suspects had been questioned.
Prior to this briefing, news of the arrest of two suspects was widespread and this was because of the alleged combined effort of the family of the late undercover journalist and one prime suspect Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. Therefore, having made strides in the case, it was only expedient for the Police Service to make diligent moves in relation to the release of the suspect. In a case of such national and international concern and which made the Police promise monetary reward for informants, it was only a confirmation of incompetence and bias when the suspect was released on the basis of wrong identity when a member of the late journalist’s family admitted to being part of the team that was involved in the swoop.
ADVERTISEMENT
Assuming but not admitting that the CID gave the public accurate information pertaining to the release of the suspect, the facts, as presented, were not convincing. Moreover, if that presentation was based on the ‘a-matter-of-security-concern’ cliché, then a more public-centred approach ought to be adopted to address the public.
My concern stems from the fact that confidence in the Police Service is fast waning and that is a tasty recipe for instability. Ghanaians are at a point where they believe in individual influencers more than they do in statutory bodies. They tend to believe the accounts of the family of the late journalist and politician Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and discount that of the CID.
Conclusion
There are conflicting accounts of the arrest and release of the suspect and while the public does not find that of the CID credible, it finds that of the family and Hon. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong credible. I, therefore, appeal to your office to respect the concerns of Ghanaians and act upon them to safeguard our democracy and faith in your outfit. In view of this, Save The Nation For Future Leaders is giving the Police Service a 21-day ultimatum to clarify issues concerning the arrest and release of the suspect. At the expiration of the ultimatum and without any engagement, we will have no option but to demonstrate against the Service.
……………………………………
ADVERTISEMENT
Kwadwo Atta Apeakorang
Founder/National President.
Cc:
The Hon. Minister for Interior
O. Box M42
ADVERTISEMENT
Accra
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
609 Ghanaians died in first 3 months of 2024 through road crashes - NRSA reveals
Stay in your parents' house while you do your NSS - Sammy Gyamfi advises graduates
Joseph Addo files nomination to contest as NPP Parliamentary aspirant for La Dadekotopon
Dumsor: ECG board members reject PURC GH¢5.8m fine
Woman who claims to have been taken to another world by dwarfs shares experience
Organised Labour threatens to strike May 2 over Tier-2 pension arrears
Nana Addo assures he will prioritize the welfare of cocoa farmers
Truck driver arrested for allegedly causing train accident on Tema-Mpakadan railway line
