NAPAIC-Ghana slams GBA chairman over 'extra-judicial killing' claims

The National Patriots Against Injustice and Corruption Ghana (NAPAIC-Ghana) has strongly criticised the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Anthony Namoo, over allegations that police officers carried out extra-judicial killings of suspected criminals in the Upper East Region.

The civil society organisation, which operates in northern Ghana, accused the lawyer of making unsubstantiated allegations against the police while ignoring recent security gains recorded in the region.

Namoo made the allegations during a remembrance ceremony held on June 30, 2026, in Bolgatanga to commemorate the three High Court judges who were murdered 44 years ago in Ghana.

"It is very disconcerting that they would hear rumours, come and fish out young men, pretending to be sending them to Accra, and then they murder them on the way," he stated.

However, addressing journalists at a press conference at the Bolgatanga Central Market on Sunday, July 5, 2026, NAPAIC-Ghana expressed concern over the remarks.

The group said that although it sympathised with the families of the murdered judges and prayed that such a tragedy would never recur, it was disappointed that the GBA Chairman failed to acknowledge the work of the Inspector-General of Police's special taskforce, "Black Maria," in restoring security in the region.

"Surprisingly, the Ghana Bar Association refused to acknowledge the fight against crime by the IGP's taskforce — 'Black Maria' — which has been operating in the region for some time and has performed remarkably well in combating crime," the group's Secretary, Zumah B. Yaro, said while reading a statement.

NAPAIC-Ghana noted that during the first half of 2026, the region witnessed the murder of a police officer on the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway and at least four separate daylight armed robbery attacks on traders in Bolgatanga and surrounding communities.

"The lives of individuals matter. The lives of police officers matter. The lives of traders matter," the group stressed.

It added that it expected the GBA to publicly condemn the killings of traders, police officers, immigration officers, teachers, nurses and other professionals in the region with the same vigour.

Scores of traders gathered at the venue of the press conference, holding placards in support of the security agencies.

At the centre of NAPAIC-Ghana's concerns were Namoo's allegations that police officers had "through their operation extra-judicially murdered" several suspects whose names he mentioned during the remembrance service.

"As a lawyer, it would be appropriate for him to have substantiated his claims, but he did not do so. We at NAPAIC-Ghana find such a speech disturbing," the group stated.

NAPAIC-Ghana emphasised that it does not support extra-judicial killings. However, it maintained that anyone making such serious allegations should present what it described as "incontrovertible evidence."

The organisation credited the Upper East Regional Police Command and the Black Maria taskforce with reversing years of insecurity in the region.

"Until the arrival of DCOP John Dzineku and the operation of Black Maria, armed robbers were having a field day, killing residents and robbing them of their belongings at will," the statement said.

According to the group, the taskforce has frightened armed robbers, leading to the arrest and prosecution of many suspects. It said these efforts have restored public confidence and enabled traders and investors to conduct their businesses in peace.

"It is public knowledge that residents of the region are now heaving sighs of relief," it added.

NAPAIC-Ghana further argued that Mr Namoo's comments, coming from a lawyer who lives and practises in the region, had the potential to undermine the efforts of the security agencies and embolden criminals.

The group urged Namoo and others to show equal concern for victims of violent crime.

"We also expect the likes of Anthony Namoo to condemn criminals whose operations have caused sleepless nights for traders, terror among residents and fear among well-meaning investors," it said.

NAPAIC-Ghana also stated that it would support any individual or organisation that felt offended by Namoo's comments to seek legal redress through the courts.

The group concluded by commending the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the Upper East Regional Police Command, the Black Maria taskforce and other security agencies for their efforts in restoring peace and security in the region.

The National Patriots Against Injustice and Corruption Ghana (NAPAIC-Ghana) is a civil society organisation dedicated to fighting corruption and injustice in Ghana. The group describes itself as a watchdog made up of patriots committed to exposing graft, abuse of power and other forms of misconduct.