I was divinely rescued from my assailants - Torgbui

Accra, Oct. 22, GNA- Torgbui Ashiakpor IV, a traditional ruler and farmer from Wheta in the Volta Region on Wednesday told the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) that he was divinely rescued from a group of soldiers, who attempted to abduct him from his room in the night of May 5, 1988.

He said as he ran to save his life, his father, Mr Jacob Kofi Ashiakpor, caught him and handed him over to his captors. Torgbui Ashiakpor said his assailants, led by one Yaw Adu-Gyimah, alias Fidel Castro, then at the Keta Police Divisional Headquarters and a Police Sergeant Owusu, told him they were sent from the Osu Castle to pick him.


The Witness said they ordered him into a waiting vehicle and drove to Anloga Police Station where they handed him over to one Chief Inspector Bedzo.


He said at the Anloga Police Station, he was chained to the counter for a week before he was transferred to the Keta Police Station. He said he spent three months in detention, shuttling between the Anloga and Keta Police Stations.


The Witness said although the Police made him write a statement, he was denied a lawyer and was not granted bail.


Known in private life as Vincent Yawo Ashiakpor, witness said he was a Paramount Chief of the Wheta Traditional Area but was destooled by a radio announcement while in detention, adding that his father helped his uncle to take over the throne from him.


He maintained that he was nominated, elected and installed as Chief in 1961, and that his enstoolment was gazetted in the Local Government Bulletin in 1966.

Torgbui Ashiakpor said his destoolment contradicted laid down requirements that the ghost of an immediate past occupant of the throne, should be consulted before a successor is chosen.


In addition to the past chief's ghost, other oracles should also be consulted before the final approval of a new chief, he said, adding all these requirements were laid out well at the National House of Chiefs. Torgbui Ashiakpor alleged that the Chieftaincy Secretariat, the Regional House of Chiefs and "some hidden members" of the Provisional National Defence Council, who wanted to take over the Afife Irrigation Project, orchestrated his destoolment.


When asked if he knew of any chiefs who were destooled based on their criminal records, Torgbui Ashiakpor replied in the negative, adding that even if he had a criminal record, it had to be brought before the Judicial Committee of the Regional House of Chiefs.


He said after his release from detention, he detected that five million cedis, being proceeds from the sale of rice belonging to the community and some office equipment had been stolen.


He said his detention did not only affect the education of his children but it also led to the destruction of his ten-acre farm, adding that he had become poor, and had since been living on charity. Torgbui Ashiakpor said there had been a strained relationship between him and his father since his release.


Witness prayed that the Commission should recommend for him compensation.