Interim IGP Prohibits District Commander for More than 9 Days Detention of Suspect

General News of Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-07-30

James Oppong-Boanuh, Inspector General of the Interim Police (IGP), ordered the prohibition of Lakeside District Commander, the DSP, Mr. Eric Partey Opata, for keeping a suspect in custody for nine months. days.

In his absence, the police commander of Adenta Division, DSP / Mr. Cephas Coffie was instructed to supervise the command until further notice.

This was revealed in a statement posted on the Ghana Police website.

The Director General of Public Affairs Police, David Senanu Eklu, Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACP), revealed in an interview with the Ghanaian Times that the action of the IGP followed a formal complaint filed by the rightful suspect of abuse.

The Director General of Police Public Affairs said the Opata DSP had been asked to hand over all weapons, uniforms and other police accessories, including a badge, to keep them safe.

ACP Eklu said that the police commander's bungalow should also be searched for police property that he might have in his possession.

ACP Eklu stated that the police commander would remain in detention for 90 days while the investigations and internal discipline are taken in accordance with the police regulations.

According to ACP Eklu, the suspect, a businessman, was arrested earlier this month for theft, but he was detained for nine days and was not released on bail after investigation.

The Director-General stated that the alleged conduct of the police commander constituted a violation of the suspect's human rights.

According to police regulations, when a suspect is arrested for any offense, he should benefit from a bail bailout of the police or be duly detained by the courts in the 48 hours following the continuation of the investigation.

"The suspects should either be released on bail or brought to trial for remand after arrest by the police, in accordance with police regulations," said ACP Eklu.

According to him, keeping the suspects beyond the required period constituted a violation of the fundamental rights of the person and the regulations of the police services.

ACP Eklu urged police personnel, especially police chiefs, to respect these rules, to ensure that the human rights of victims are not violated.

He called on the public to report any misconduct of this type by the police to the appropriate services for immediate action.