Don’t blame me for your failures; Fix it – Ofosu Ampofo to CID boss

The national chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Samuel Ofosu Ampofo believes the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wants to use him as a “scapegoat” for its security lapses.

According to the CID, suspects connected to the various kidnappings and fires are pointing fingers at Mr. Ampofo hence the invitation to him to appear on Thursday, May 9, 2019 to assist with investigations.

Mr. Ampofo has declined the invitation, insisting the position of the CID is just to “shift the blame over the increasing inability of the security agencies” to ensure safety of citizens.

“Our client has instructed us to make it abundantly clear to you, which we hereby do, that he is a politician, and as the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, the largest opposition party in the country, he and his party leadership and members cannot help but notice the failing security situation in the country since the present government took office.

“Your invitation, its tone and insinuations, is simply an attempt to “pass the buck”, and shift the blame over the increasing inability of the security agencies, including your outfit, to manage and control the failures of security and the governance structures of the country as a whole. Looking for scape-goats would not improve the situation.”

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo has also declined an invitation from CID to assist with investigations.

“The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into cases of kidnapping and fire outbreaks in various parts of the country. Intelligence gathered indicates that some of these kidnappings and fire outbreaks are being orchestrated by various unidentified groups, persons and individuals.

“Some of the persons picked up for interrogation and investigation have mentioned your name as part of a grand scheme designed to cause fear and panic in the country,” the letter signed by the Director-General of the CID Mrs Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said.

However, lawyers of Mr. Ampofo have responded to the letter serving notice their client will not honour the invitation.

“Having carefully reviewed your letter against the background of the ongoing prosecution of our client, we are unable to resist the conclusion that your invitation and so-called investigations into kidnapping, arson and other crimes is collateral to the on-going criminal trial, and that its purpose is partly to prejudice our client’s defence.

“Further, our client views the letter of invitation as reflective of an undeniable pattern of political harassment and intimidation which violates his fundamental human rights, particularly his constitutional rights to personal dignity and political association that is devoid of intimidation and harassment. On our part, while we appreciate that every citizen has a constitutional duty to assist law enforcement agencies in the discharge of their mandate, our considered view is that the current invitation constitutes a gross abuse of the investigative and prosecutorial powers of the police as a public institution.

“We take the respectful view that since our client is not under arrest for the alleged offences, he is legally entitled to decline your invitation. We have therefore advised him accordingly,” part of the response signed by a former deputy attorney general, Dr. Dominic Ayine read.