Kumasi: CID probes death of man allegedly assaulted by cops

The Criminal Investigations Department of the Police is investigating an alleged assault that led to the death of a man at Konkoli, a popular neighbourhood near Trade in the Ashanti region.

An encounter with some three police officers on Monday night, left Tweneboah Koduah, 33, on life support at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), before he died.

Media reports were rife suggesting that the officers were members of the ‘Operation COVID-19 Safety’ team, joint police and military contingent enforcing a lockdown directive in parts of the country.

Family accuses police of cover-up

Though police are yet to name the officers involved, there is widespread agitation among the family of the deceased who accuses the police of a cover-up.

“My son, who was at the Kotwi Clinic was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital when his condition got worse; all the bills were footed by the policemen who were now begging me to remain quiet over the matter or they lose their jobs, I don’t know their names but I can identify each of them; they said they are stationed at the central police station,” she told Kumasi-based Otec FM on Wednesday.

“I am calling on authorities to bring the officers to book. I have lost a breadwinner and I won’t rest until justice is served”, she said in tears.

Police Statement

Police in the Ashanti region has also given its version of how the unfortunate incident happened.

The Command in a statement denied claims that the said officers were members of the joint ‘Operation COVID-19 Safety’ team and were deployed on a normal everyday night Police patrol duty.

Director of Public Affairs at the Ashanti Regional Police Headquarters, ASP Godwin Ahianyo, said the command awaits the family’s version of the incident and assured that the said officers would be sanctioned if they are found culpable.

See below full statement: