Amidu calls for investigations into allegations of treason

Mr Martin Amidu, the running mate of Prof. John Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress (NDC)in last month's election, has called for investigations into allegations of treason against him.

In a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, he said he was accused by Mr Imoro Salifu, Upper East regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of supplying arms and ammunitions to the Kusasi's in Bawku and inciting them to fight the Mamprusi's during the December 7 elections. He said Mr Salifu made the allegation in the presence of the public, including the Vice President, the Regional Police Commander and senior police officers in Bawku at the time, the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command of the Armed Forces and members of the media.

"These accusations of supplying arms and ammunitions to the Kusasi people to fight part of the Mamprusi people is a grave accusation of crime against me in the nature of treason", he said.

The petition dated January 18, 2000, was copied to the Mr Salifu, and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General secretary of the NDC.

It said: "the accusation has increased the tension in Bawku and pit my old mother, family property, personal and political friends in danger of attack and arson now and in the future. "As a citizen of this country, I am not above the law and such a grave accusation of crime against me that has the potential of disrupting the peace in Bawku ought to be investigated."

The petition called for thorough investigations into circumstances that led to the eruption of fighting and violence in Bawku on December 8, 2000.

Mr Amidu said efforts made to get the Regional Police Command to have the allegations against him investigated have proved futile.

Several people died when fighting broke out at Bawku as the votes in the elections were being counted.