The police officer said to have used his elbow and fist to punch the tummy of the Ghanaian Times journalist, Raissa Sambou a nursing mother who gave birth in December through surgery (cesarean) and was rushed to the emergency unit of the Ridge Hospital after she collapsed, has been identified as Sergeant Ebenezer Asiedu of the Accra SWAT Unit.
Sergeant Ebenezer Asiedu is said to have carelessly used his unregistered motorbike to hit a vehicle belonging to the Ghanaian Times near the Kinbu Traffic Light in Accra on Thursday after allegedly jumping traffic.
The front bumper and side mirror of the Nissan vehicle was broken as a result of that.
The Police Administration has explained it has instituted an investigation into the reported case of assault and motor traffic accident which involved the police officer and the journalists from Ghanaian Times newspaper on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
Three journalists from the Ghanaian Times who were on their way for the day’s assignment were Thursday morning assaulted by about ten police officers at Kinbu in Accra Central.
The assault followed the traffic offence.
About 10 police officers who chanced on the exchanges after the accident and were not happy that the journalists had tried to record (video) the accident and the ensuing exchanges between their driver and the police motor rider, pounced on the journalists and physically assaulted them.
Mr Malik Sullemana, a court reporter, Mrs. Raissa Sambou, a general reporter and Mr Salifu Abdul Rahman, an assistant editor, felt the full effect of the brute force used by the police officers, leading to two of them being sent to the hospital to receive medical attention.
Mrs Sambou, a nursing mother who recently gave birth through surgery (cesarean) was rushed to the emergency unit of the Ridge Hospital, while Sullemana, who received a chunk of the assault was locked up at the Ministries Police Station, but was later released.
Police statement
In a statement signed and issued by ACP David Eklu, Director General of Police Public Affairs, the police said preliminary information gathered does not suggest the journalists were targeted because of their profession but it was a traffic offence which resulted in a scuffle between the journalists and the police officers.
It said immediately the Director-General heard about the incident, he worked with the Editor of the Ghanaian Times newspaper to ensure that the journalists received medical attention.
“As at today Friday, March 15, 2019, the Police officer has been identified and a statement taken from him at the Ministries Police Station. Other witnesses have also given statements whilst efforts are being made to take a statement from the journalists,” it added.
It said in addition, a report of the motor traffic accident case has also been reported at the Ministries Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).
“The Police Administration assures the public, especially the media, that it has taken note of the comments expressed on this case and other cases where journalists are alleged to have been attacked by Police officers thus causing needless friction between the Police and the journalists.”
“In view of these concerns, the Police is collaborating with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National Media Commission (NMC) and other media partners to develop pragmatic framework to ensure the safety and improve working relations between the Police and the media.”.
It added that an update on the progress of investigations will be communicated.
Source: Graphic.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
those policemen are so irresponsible. that is the manifestation of their training and that is why they can not handle block headed vigilantes. beating harmless lady is foo lish and ***barred word***
THE IGP MUST GO. HE IS OUT OF PRAGMATIC POLICIES. HE IS "OUTMODED" THE GHANA POLICE IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGH LEVEL OF INDICIPLINE IN GHANA BY ESPECIALLY COMMERCIAL DRIVERS. WHY? THE GHANA POLICEMEN AND POLICEWOMEN OWN A LARGER NUMBER OF THESE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES (TAXIS AND TROTROS)AND SO WHEN THEIR DRIVERS MISBEHAVE AND ARE CAUGHT THEY JUST CALL THE WNER OF THE CAR OR VEHICLE AND THE ISSUE DIES THERE AN THEN. I AM A VICTIM OF SUCH DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR BY THE DRIVER OF A TROTRO THAT BELONGED TO A POLICEMAN AT THE CENTRAL POLICE STATION IN CCRA. I INSISTED FOR THE CASE TO GO TO COURT AND AFTER FIRST APPEARANCE OF THIS DRIVER IN COURT AND AFTER REALISING THAT SOME TWO LAWYERS WERE IN COURT FOR ME THE POLICE PROSECUTOR KEPT ASKING FOR ADJOURNMENT AS THIS DRIVER ILL NOT AVAIL HIMSELVE IN COURT. FOR ONE YEAR I KEPT GOING TO COURT WITHOUT THIS DRIVER COMING TO COURT OR SOMETIMES THE POLICE PROSECUTOR WILL NOT BE PRESENT IN COURT. THEY INDIRECTLY FRUSTRATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE(S) BELONG TO A POLICEMAN OR POLICEWOMA. A VERY CORRUPT SYSTEM IN GHANA. THE POLICE THEMSELVES ARE VERY LAWLESS AND FEEL THEY ABOVE THE LAW. THE ENIOR OFFICERS JUST SIT UNCONCERNED BECAUSE THEY SEND THESE GUYS (POLICE JUNIOR RANKS, FROM CONSTABLE TO INSPECTOR AND SOMETIMES CHIEF INPECTOR) TO BRING THEM DAILY "SALES".
DEAL WITH THIS SEMI-LITERATE ZOMBI ASIEDU AND HIS ACCOMPLICES THE SAME WAY YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE DRIVER AND HIS MATE WHO ASSAULTED THE POLICEMAN. @CIVILIANS LIFE MATTER.
IGP please do something about it. Police brutality is gradually gaining grounds nowadays...
And a politician, Kennedy Agyapong can threaten a police commander and get away with it. What a country.
Don't expect anything meaningful from the clannish police institution.
Good move, but how about those who brutalize people at ayawaso?