BNI is a lawless institution - Ace Ankomah

Private legal practitioner, Ace Ankomah has described the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) as a lawless institution.

The lawyer argues that, the BNI is operating as if there is no law in the country or the laws of Ghana do not apply to them.

He posited that, the BNI since its inception has failed to uphold the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, a situation he blamed on the failure of successive governments to control the state security.

Lawyer Ace Ankomah said Ghana needs a brave government to control the BNI and tell them straight in the face to stop their lawlessness.

"Successive governments have failed to control the so-called National Security and that is the cause of their disregard for the laws of state. We need a brave government to boldly tell them to stop what they are doing."

He bemoaned the rampant unlawful arrest of persons by the BNI which led to the state paying damages at an International Court in the United Kingdom, "and yet no body seems to be controlling the BNI. It is time to subject National Security to the laws of this country," he emphasied.

Lawyer Ace Ankomah is of the opinion that, because National Security operatives do not bare the cost or damages against persons whose rights are violated, they continue to hide behind the state security to engage in lawlessness.

He also blamed the situation on undue political interference from government's in power on the state security.

Lawyer Ace Ankomah was speaking in an interview on Rainbow Radio following the arrest of the General Manager of Marble and Granites, Dr. Ayo Ani, for allegedly taking pictures of party vehicles parked on a land that belongs to a private company.

He described the arrest as unlawful and a clear violation of Article 14(5) of the Constitution of Ghana, which says that “A person who is unlawfully arrested, restricted or detained by any other person SHALL be entitled to compensation from that other person.”

Mr. Ankomah is calling for individuals who order the unlawful arrest of persons to be prosecuted and charged, to deter others from engaging in lawlessness and uphold the Constitution of Ghana.