Ashaiman MP demands independent probe into civilian killing

MP for Ashaiman Ernest Norgbe has called for an independent probe into the alleged accidental shooting of a middle-aged man at Ashaiman in Accra Sunday April 5, 2020.

Meanwhile, the military in a statement said it had commenced investigations into the case.

The statement detailed that the incident occurred when a civilian resisted an arrest for breaking the lockdown directives and attempted to disarm a soldier who was arresting him.

“The suspect sustained life-threatening injuries and while being conveyed to the hospital for medical attention, unfortunately, passed on. The body has been deposited at the Police Hospital morgue in Accra. Investigations have already commenced into the incident,” GAF said in a release.

However, speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Monday the Ashiaman MP said “we want independent investigation so that we can get to a logical constitution of this matter.”

As to which agency he recommends, he said “any agency, people that may be put together to investigate the matter that will not be only the military or the police and we are for it. Any independent body that is not under the police arm, that is not under the military arm, maybe either the municipal, the regional, national or even the presidency. We are for it. But not the military because their statement preempts the outcome of the investigations.”

The MP giving his side of the incident, based on eyewitness accounts, after visiting the scene explained “this guy Ofosu was loitering around with some other friends and the military asked him to go home. So, as thy asked him to go home he was resisting that ‘which home am I going to’ so they used a stick to beat him. So he was trying to take the stick from the military officer then unfortunately the military officer just stepped two-three feet back, made a call and then just put the phone in his pocket and shot at this guy”.

According to him, the victim was shot in the full glare of the people because he was not moving alone.

“It didn’t add up for me that’s why I’m calling for an independent investigation, to investigate the matter and know the veracity because what the eyewitnesses are saying is different from what the military hierarchy is also coming out with.”

The MP indicated that he is moving into the community to calm tensions building up among the youth.