"There Was Procedural Error in Request for Police"

The Commander of the Armoured Car Squadron, Nana Koranteng Mintah has told the Committee probing the Stadium tragedy yesterday that the Operational Order for the Accra Stadium on May 9 was not made available to him but that he only had a letter from the National Sports Council requesting for personnel from his unit.

He said such a procedure is unusual as it should have been directed to the Police Headquarters.

The Police Standing Order states categorically that teargas can be used only when all the crowd controlling means prove futile. He said the officer on duty should have used his discretion before ordering the shots at a confined area. When asked why the teargas was fired he emphasised that teargas is not used in an enclosed area adding that even when the need arises the shots should be ninety degrees high.

ASP John Asare Naani from the Striking Force Unit appearing before the commission said he received a signal from his commander that he should be in charge of the stadium operation on May 9 at 5pm when he was supposed to go for another assignment. He added that when he assumed command he observed that there were about 25 to 30 men in the inner perimeter equipped with pump action and stoppers.

According to him the firing of teargas started when they were escorting the referees to their changing room. He said his investigation reveals that Chief Superintendent Koranteng ordered the firing.