The Sunyani High Court on Thursday asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander to produce Yidana Sugri and Iddrisu Jahinfo Pachi, both of Yendi.
This followed the granting of an order of Habeas Corpus by the court presided over by Justice F. Kusi-Appiah. The defendants were given a week’s ultimatum after service of motion, to produce the two persons in court and explain why they should not have their individual liberty.
Yidana and Jahinfo were arrested on 8 November 2002, in connection with the murder of the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II. The writ, filed by Nana Obiri Boahen, solicitor for the two persons,
contended that “if the arrests and detentions are in respect of the outcome or recommendation of the Wuaku Commission, then it is premature.
“Premature,” in the sense that the government herself is yet to issue a white paper on the said recommendations of the Wuaku Commission”, he explained.
It is recalled that The Ghanaian Times on Thursday 14 November 2002, carried a front-page story with the headline “Two grabbed at Dagbon – over Ya Na’s murder.” According to the story, the two were arrested and flown to Accra. Yidana was first arrested in April but the office of the Attorney General ordered his release.
The Wuaku Commission, which investigated the Dagbon crisis, also ordered the arrest and prosecution of Jahinfo for alleged complicity in the murder of the late king. But again, the Attorney-General ordered the court to stop his prosecution, because the commission was thought to have acted ultra vires.
