Release Pastor from cells - Abusuapayin

Kokrobite (GAR), Jan 28, GNA - The Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and civil society human rights groups, have been urged to ensure the release of Osofo Edward Awuley of Kokrobite near Accra from Police cells.

Abusuapayin Mantey Sackey of the Nii Kwashie Djabum family of Kokrobite Abola Quarter near Accra and Mr Daniel Otoo an elder of the family making the appeal at Kokrobite in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region, said the Police last Friday placed the Osofo, who is a member of the family in cells in what they called "a purely civil case".

They said the intervention of the IGP, CHRAJ and human rights groups in the case would not only ensure the protection of his civil and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the 1992 constitution but also deepen rule of law and equality before the law at the grassroots.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Sunday, Abusuapayin Mantey Sackey explained the their ancestor, Nii Kwashie Djabum was given a large tract of land at Kokrobite by the late King Tackie, Ga Manste. He said being a customary grant for his valour as a war leader in the Sagdadre War in 1867, the land gift was not reduced into writing but was known and recognised by all the Chiefs, elders and people of Kokrobite.

Abusuapayin Mantey Sackey stated that since the death of Nii Kwashie Djabum his family continued to possess and farm on the land without hindrance.

He produced a Statutory Declaration granted to Nana Kofi Okyere, late head of the Nii Kwashie Djabum family endorsed by Nii Ansah Sasraku II, Dsasetse of the Nii Arde Nkpa We of Plerno, James Town Accra, on 31st January 1994 to support his claim.

Mr Otoo said in spite of this and other documents in their possession members of the Nii Kwashie Djabum family meet opposition from one Thomas Adama Asante also known as "Asante Pume" using the name of Nii Ardy Nkpa V, a Chief in the area and Nii Ayitey Tagoe, an elder whenever any member go to the land to develop it.

He said last Friday, Asante Pume and one Patu Dan also known as "Obolo" accompanied by some Policemen went to the land to stop and arrest some workers of a developer.

Mr Otoo said when the workers directed them to Osofo Awuley, Asante Pume and the servicemen invited him to the SCC Police Post on the Mallam-Kasoa Highway.

He said immediately Osofo Awuley reported he was handcuffed and sent to the Police Headquarters in Accra and placed in cells. Mr Otoo expressed surprise that the Police should get involved in what he called "A purely civil case" and wondered why the Osofo had to be handcuffed like a "common criminal" when he had not resisted arrest and locked in cell without bail after he had reported voluntarily. The Family Elder said the Police should not be seen as aiding anyone in such civil and land cases, which could bring the Service into disrepute and asked the IGP to institute a high powered probe into the case to bring the servicemen involved to book.

He said apart from ensuring justice, fair play and the rule of law such a probe would also help curtail the involvement of Policemen in land cases in the area, which was on the ascendancy.

"The Police should not be seen as aiding powerful and rich people against the poor in land cases. They should rather ensure peace, law and order and human rights and freedoms in our democracy".

Mr Otoo noted that, "such landed cases can lead to clashes and disturb public peace and the stability needed for development". 28 Jan 07