NPP asks IGP to investigate conduct of police at BNI premises

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA- The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akropong on Friday called for investigations into the conduct of the police personnel who were dispatched to the office of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI), to disperse supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which led to the alleged death of one M.K. Salifu. The supporters besieged the premises of the BNI in reaction to news that Mr Steven Asamoah Boateng former Minister of State and MP had been detained.

Mr William Boafo, Ranking Member of Defence of the NPP who signed the statement asked the Inspector General of Police to investigate the issue and establish whether the force applied by throwing of canisters and the firing of rubber bullets on the supporters were justified. The statement expressed the condolences of the NPP to the bereaved family of the late Salifu.

It also called on the General Council of the Ghana Bar Association to consider protesting against the alleged throwing out of the BNI office; two lawyers of the detained ex minister, Nene Amegatcher and Mr Peter Okudzeto of Sam Okudzeto Associates.

On August 13, 2009, Mr Asamoah Boateng, former Minister of Information in the Kufuor- led NPP administration and also a former Member of Parliament, reported at the Greater Accra Regional Offices of the BNI at about 1100 hours in response to media allegations that the BNI was looking for him in the past two weeks in vain.

The statement said the two lawyers and the wife of Mr Asamoah; Zuleika, were thrown out of the premises of the BNI while the former Minister, was taken captive.

Meanwhile District Superintendent of Police, (DSP) Kwasi Ofori, Police Public Relations Officer, had issued a press statement explaining the circumstances that compelled the police to fire tear gas to control the crowd.

He said the crowd, which stormed the premises of the BNI became unruly compelling the police to intervene.

DSP Ofori said the mob attacked the police and blocked the road in front of the BNI office.