Death of two suspects in Police cells to be investigated

The Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of the Interior, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor on Tuesday directed the Inspector General of Police to institute a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two suspects in Police custody at Tema Community Two, on Saturday 11 May.

A statement issued in Accra said the police administration had confirmed the deaths of Tetteh (alias TT) and Nabi Suleiman at the police station, moments after their fellow inmates had reported their deteriorating health condition to the authorities. At the time of the incident there were 45 inmates in the cell but the police could not say whether overcrowding had sometime to do with the deaths.

According to the statement, the Minister has established a board to examine the design of Police Cells throughout the country to ensure adequate ventilation and lighting without compromising security, with Mr E.P.D Barnes, Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, as Chairman.

Other members included Mr. K. D. Arthur, Assistant Commissioner of Police, an architect, Lieutenant Colonel O. B. Akwa, Military Assistant to the minister of defence, Assistant Supredendent of Police, Joseph Ocloo of the police Estate Department and Mr. Charles Dzogbenuku of the Ministry of Defence. The board will initially tour all police stations in the Greater Accra and review the state of cells and make appropriate recommendations and later visit those in the other regions.