Chief Superintendent Nana Koranteng Minta gave out the order for the teargas to be fired at the Accra Sports Stadium that caused a stampede in which 126 soccer fans perished on May 9, the man, who was supposed to be in charge of the Policemen at the stadium told the Stadium Disaster Commission.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) John Asare Naami, who was giving evidence at the Commission on Thursday, said when he asked about who gave out the order, one ASP Bakomoro told him that it was Chief Superintendent Minta.
He said he did not asked why he gave out that order since he was a superior. ASP Naami had earlier stunned the commission that the use of rubber bullets is completely new to him, as he was not taught about its use at the Police College.
He said he has never seen any manual on the use of tear gas throughout his 24 years of practising as a Policeman.
ASP Naami, who is the second in command of the Police Striking Force under the Greater Accra Regional Command, said he has been with the Striking Force for eight months.
He said the Force is a rapid reaction unit that could easily be mobilised for any eventuality.
When asked about the equipment used in eventualities, he answered that, they are normally armed with AK 47 rifles, stoppers, tear gas, rubber bullets, pump action, batons, shields, helmets and thunder shots, which is mainly used to frighten the crowd.
ASP Naami was detailed to the stadium on May 9, the day of the incident to be the man in charge and got there around 15:00 hours from a seminar, by which time ASP Frank Awoo had been in command on his absence.
He said he went round the outer parameter of the stadium and saw that his men were properly stationed and saw about five of them armed.
ASP Naami later said he entered the inner parameter by which time the match had started and saw between 25 and 30 Policemen comprising of Panthers unit armoured personnel and others without identification marks.
He said when the second goal came he envisaged that there was going to be trouble and so mobilised some men to escort the match officials to safety.
It was in the process that he heard gunshots and rushed to the direction and saw the police firing into the crowd and he asked them to stop and those close to him complied but the others did not stop immediately probably due to the intensity of the noise.
ASP Naami said he later saw ASP Awoo and Chief Superintendent Nana Koranteng Minta at the scene.
He said he asked who gave out the order and ASP Bakomoro told him that it was Chief Superintendent Minta.
He was asked to stand down and to reappear on Friday, May 25. The next person to give evidence was ASP Frank Awoo; District commander of James Town Police corroborated ASP Naami's answer that it was Chief Superintendent dent Minta who gave out the order.
ASP Awoo said it was when they, Including ASP Bakomoro, ASP Kumi and ASP Naami were escorting the match officials to their room that they heard gunshot and ASP Naami dashed out and he also followed together with the others.
He said on getting closer he heard Nana Koranteng Minta said "shoot them'' with the firing still going.
He said he saw both Naami and Minta raising their hands but could not tell whether it was instructions for them to stop or to continue firing.
