CID probes 13 disqualified presidential hopefuls

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into alleged illegality committed by the 13 flag bearers who were disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) from contesting in the December 7 polls.

This was revealed by ASP Joseph Benefo Darkwa, Public Relations Officer for the CID, in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Friday October 21.

The investigations follow a complaint filed by the EC at the CID headquarters in Accra for the right steps to be taken on such matters.

Last week, the Chair of the EC, Mrs Charlotte Osei, referred all electoral offences based on which the commission disqualified the aspirants to the police.

The affected persons are flag bearers of the All People's Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga; Dr Edward Mahama of the People's National Convention (PNC); Dr Agyenim Boateng of the United Front Party (UFP); Kofi Akpaloo of the Independent People's Party (IPP); Kwabena Adjei of the Reformed Patriotic Democrats (RPD); and Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom of the Progressive People's Party (PPP).

The others include: Dr Henry Herbert Lartey of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP); Mr Richard Nixon Tetteh (United Development Systems Party); Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings of the National Democratic Party (NDP); Thomas Ward-Brew of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP); Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker, an independent candidate, and Akua Donkor of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP). Mr Akwasi Addae Odike of the United Progressive Party's nomination is on hold pending a court case.

Mrs Osei cited among other things fraudulent signatures on the nomination forms.

ASP Benefo disclosed: “The CID is investigating issues of multiple registration and different signatures on the forms. These are some of the things we saw on their forms and investigations have started. We have invited all of them to appear before the CID and accordingly some have appeared, whereas others have indicated they need adequate time to prepare.”

He added: “Some of them did not follow the law in filling their forms and after our investigations, will give the report to the Attorney General for advice.”

ASP Darkwa further revealed that those who appeared have been granted bail.