Western Region unveils committee to investigate jail break

Sekondi June 3, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Wednesday inaugurated a five-member Committee of Enquiry into the jail break and escape of prisoners at the Sekondi Central Prisons on May 2. In an address, he expressed the hope that the members would bring their professional experience to bear on the work of the committee.

Mr Aidoo said the members were carefully chosen and it is expected that they would conduct themselves in a very transparent, friendly and unbiased manner so that it would be easy for prospective informants to approach them with whatever information or input they want to divulge. Mr Aidoo said the findings of the committee would be a useful tool for the strengthening of the security system at the country's prisons. "We still need the co-operation of all to arrest the remaining four of the convicts at large since they constitute a major threat for the security and safety of .citizens," he said.

The Committee chaired by Mr Faustinus Fredrick Faidoo, a Sekondi- based legal practitioner, include Major William Kweku Abokyi, Second in-command of the second Battalion of Infantry, Mr Samuel Bediako, Principal Staff Officer of the National Security Council, Mr Kwaku Wonder Dogbevia, Divisional Crime Officer, Kaneshie and Mr Kwasi Osei-Poku of the Regional Co-ordinating Council who is member secretary.

The committee would investigate the circumstances leading to the ability of the prisoners at the Sekondi Central Prisons to open the inner gate, gain access to the gate lodge, overpower the guards on duty, break into the armoury and take possession and control of G3 raffles, ammunitions and other weapons and escaping. It would also investigate the response of the prison authorities on duty.