Repeal of Criminal Libel Law compromises national security-Dery

Ho, Aug. 1, GNA - Mr. Bernard G. Dery, Volta Regional Police Commander, said repeal of the Criminal Libel Law risked compromising national security. He said some journalists were hiding behind press freedom to dent people's image, malign them and create confusion in the country especially in the Volta Region.

]Mr. Dery was addressing a press conference in Ho over stories in a newspaper publication that implicated him and the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, in the death of one Dzikunu Agbale and Theophilous Tettey-Nartey, former Ho Municipal Police Commander, during an incident at the Ho Residency on June 2. Mr. Dery said, "If this is the way the private media are treating press freedom, then a second look needs to be given to the withdrawal of the Criminal Libel Law". He said security reports were confidential and wondered how the paper came by the so called confidential security document adding that "if it is true then it amounts to espionage and high treason". Mr. Dery challenged the paper to publish the full document and its source and described the publication as "triply malicious, deficient and calculated to tarnish my hard won reputation." Mr Dery denied the paper's allegation that he told the press that Superintendent Tettey-Nartey died from stab wounds inflicted on him by Agbale in the incident. He said Mr.Tettey-Nartey died from gun shot wounds during a struggle with Agbale.

Mr. Dery said as the Regional Police Commander, he has to work in close collaboration with the Regional Minister, "responsibilities are attached to certain offices" and wondered how he could be accused of involvement in politics by doing his official work. He said, "It is unfortunate that people who I closely and diligently worked with now turn round to accuse me of incompetence". "Some politicians from the region are creating unnecessary tension and confusion in the region and I want to inform such political novices that Regional Security directives must not be termed as Dery's directives", he said.