Policeman narrates alleged maltreatment of late Mobilla

Detective Lance Corporal Mathias Avernori of the Ghana Police Service on Monday narrated his observation of alleged maltreatment meted out to the late Alhaji Issa Mobilla when he was sent to Kamina Military Barracks for safe keeping.

Alhaji Mobilla was the former Northern Regional Chairman of the Convention People's Party (CPP).

Detective Lance Corporal (DLC) Avernori recounted that he saw Private Eric Modzaka; one of the accused persons whipping the deceased with three finger sized Neem tree sticks.

He told the court that it was Corporal Appiah who remarked: “You are the Issa Mobilla, today you will shit blood,” and as he (Corporal Appiah) escorted the deceased to the cells he kicked the deceased in the back.”

The witness recounted the acrobatic displays that the deceased was subjected to when he (deceased) was sent to the cells in Kamina Barracks.

He made the revelation when Chief State Attorney Penelope Mamattah, the prosecutor, led him in evidence during the trial of two soldiers, Corporal Yaw Appiah and Private Eric Modzaka, facing two charges of conspiracy to murder and murdering of Mobilla on December 9, 2004.

They have denied the charges and were remanded by an Accra High Court, presided over Mr Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh.

DLC Avernori said, when Police Sergeant Kpegli, who was in their company to the cells demanded what the deceased had done to merit such maltreatment; Corporal Appiah remarked that the deceased had been “causing problems in the Tamale metropolis.”

He told the court that, he knew the accused persons, including Private Seth Goka, who had absconded and that he (DCL Avernori) was among the team of Police officers, who escorted the deceased to the Kamina Barracks.

The witness said, he was also among the team of Police officers who visited the Tamale Teaching Hospital Morgue to snap pictures of the corpse.

At the morgue, he said the corpse had marks all over it, but when Mobila was first brought to Kamina Barracks, he had no marks on his body.

Witness admitted giving a statement to the Police in respect of Mobilla’s death but said because he incriminated the military he was asked to write another one.

He noted that due to the contents of the two statements, he was queried by the Tamale Regional Police Commander, Superintendent Oko Brakatu.

“The cordial relation between me and my superiors changed and was even dismissed by the Ghana Police Service."

Answering questions under cross-examination by defence Counsel Thaddeus Sory, DLC Avernori said although he was dismissed for misconduct, that was underpinned by his involvement in the Mobilla’s case.

He denied that his piece of evidence before the court was based on lies.

Defence Counsel therefore, prayed the court to order DLC Avernori to provide documentation with regards to his dismissal and recall into the Ghana Police Service available to the court.

When asked how DLC Avernori was recalled into the Service, witness said it was through a petition to the service.

Meanwhile, Police Sergeant George Mensah Kpegli, a prosecution witness has concluded his evidence after being grilled by defence counsel in a cross examination.

The matter has been adjourned to April 16.

The late Alhaji Mobilla was arrested by the police on December 9, 2004 for allegedly supplying the youth in Tamale with guns to foment trouble.

While in custody, the police claimed they received information that his followers and sympathisers were mobilising to free him.

The deceased was consequently transferred from the police cells to the Kamina Military Barracks and handed over to the three accused persons.

The prosecution said Alhaji Mobilla died in military custody three hours after he had been handed over to the accused persons, who were on duty that day.

The pathologist's report revealed that the deceased was sent to the hospital dead and that he died from multiple wounds.**