Probe 'extrajudicial killing' allegations against Black Maria - IGP told

Executive Director of the Africa Centre for Security and Counter-Terrorism, Emmanuel Kotin, has called for an independent investigation into allegations of extrajudicial killings involving the Inspector-General of Police's (IGP) Special Operations Team, popularly known as “Black Maria” in the Upper East Region.

Speaking on TV3's Ghana Tonight on Monday, July 6, 2026, Kotin criticised the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in the Upper East Region, Anthony Namoo, for publicly naming a senior police officer while raising the allegations during a remembrance service for the three murdered High Court judges.

The 'sins' of Black Maria

He argued that the claims should have been referred to institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) or the Police Professional Standards Bureau rather than being made on a public platform.

"The appropriate forum was to follow due process, but unfortunately, he publicly named this senior police officer, compromising his safety and blowing the lid on the covert operations the IGP team was otherwise doing in the Upper East Region," Kotin said.

According to him, the officer had been deployed by the IGP from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to verify earlier allegations and was not directly involved in operational activities.

Kotin also warned that publicising the officer's identity could inflame tensions in the conflict-prone Upper East Region, noting that his photograph was already being circulated on social media.

"We are simply calling for an independent and time-bound investigation to ascertain whether the alleged extrajudicial killings are indeed true. If there is evidence, let it be presented through the proper channels," he stated.

He urged the IGP to reinforce security around the officer and maintain the special operations team in the region while investigations establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

NA/VPO