Ghana IGP: Community Demands Probe into Prampram Police Misconduct

• Community members in Ningo-Prampram have urged IGP Christian Tetteh Yohunu to investigate local police for alleged misconduct.
• Complaints include the police referring serious criminal cases, such as assault and murder, to traditional family settlements instead of investigating them.
• The death of okada rider Timothy Teye Otubua in July, allegedly by land guards, remains unaddressed by police months after being reported.
• Other reported assaults and the deaths of up to six additional okada riders have also not led to prosecutions.
• Residents demand a full review of all reported cases and insist that traditional settlement should not replace legal investigations.

He firmly asserted that traditional settlement should never serve as a substitute for proper investigations into allegations of assault, death threats, and loss of life, emphasizing the critical need for the Ghana police to uphold its mandate.

Community members in Ghana's Ningo-Prampram area have formally urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu, to initiate a comprehensive probe into the conduct of local police officers. The appeal specifically targets the Ningo and Prampram police stations, citing serious concerns regarding their handling of various criminal complaints. Residents allege a pattern of negligence and improper procedure in cases involving assault, death threats, and even murder, prompting a demand for greater Ghana police accountability in Ningo-Prampram.

The primary accusation leveled against the Ningo-Prampram police is the alleged practice of referring serious criminal matters to family or traditional settlements, rather than conducting thorough investigations and pursuing legal action. This alleged deviation from standard law enforcement protocols has left community members questioning why reported incidents, which should fall under the purview of the criminal justice system, are not being properly addressed. Mr. Eric Tetteh Anum, acting head of the Ashaley Botwe family of Ningo, conveyed these grievances to the Ghanaian Times, highlighting a perceived breakdown in local law enforcement.

Among the grave allegations fueling the call for a Ghana IGP probe into Prampram police misconduct is the reported killing of Timothy Teye Otubua, an okada rider, in July. Mr. Anum detailed that Otubua was allegedly subjected to a severe beating by individuals identified as "land guards" who are reportedly connected to a local faction. Following this assault, Timothy Teye Otubua was discovered deceased on July 20. Despite the incident being reported to the Prampram Police Station and reportedly taken up by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), several months have passed without any discernible action on the part of the police.

The concerns extend beyond this single tragic event. Mr. Anum further alleged that other okada riders who attempted to inquire about Otubua's death were themselves attacked, with reports indicating that as many as six riders have subsequently lost their lives in the area. The community is also seeking answers regarding alleged assaults involving individuals named Laseh Joshua, Addo, and Isaac Tetteh Kwadwo. These cases, too, were reportedly brought to the attention of the Ningo-Prampram police, yet have not led to any prosecutions, further exacerbating fears about the effectiveness of local law enforcement.

The allegations paint a picture of systemic failures within the Ningo-Prampram police, where serious criminal complaints, including those involving alleged assault and murder cases, appear to be sidelined. A particularly troubling claim involves a prime suspect who, after being invited to the police station, allegedly threatened complainants directly in the presence of police officers, with no apparent intervention. This incident underscores the residents' deep-seated concerns about the lack of protection and justice provided by the local police.

The community's grievances are not limited to individual criminal acts but also touch upon broader disputes, such as the one affecting the Dankyira family house in Ningo, where some members report attempts to demolish their properties. This situation is complicated by the opposition from the Alipue, Chenchenma, and Ashalley Botwe Gates against any demolition efforts. In light of these multifaceted issues, Mr. Anum has explicitly called for the police to undertake a thorough review of all cases reported to them and to provide full disclosure regarding their status. He firmly asserted that traditional settlement should never serve as a substitute for proper investigations into allegations of assault, death threats, and loss of life, emphasizing the critical need for the Ghana police to uphold its mandate.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of potential breakdowns in local law enforcement and criminal investigation processes in the Ningo-Prampram area of Ghana. This situation highlights the need to consider escalating criminal complaints directly to higher authorities like the IGP if local police are perceived as unresponsive or negligent, and to advise clients on the challenges of pursuing justice through standard channels in such circumstances.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times