Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ashaiman Constituency, Ernest Henry Norgbey says a communique by the Ghana Armed Forces on the killing of a resident in the area on Sunday is 'untrue'.
He also claimed the people of Ashaiman are disappointed in President Akufo-Addo who is Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces for his unacceptable silence on this major development when he addressed the nation on Sunday night, particularly as he sought to downplay the many incidents of human right violations and unwarranted excesses by security personnel enforcing his lockdown directives.
He said in a statement that the deceased identified as Mr. Eric Ofotsu alias 'No Yawa' was ill-treated by the military who ensured peace during the lockdown period.
“Information gathered from the scene which I have no basis to doubt and contrary to the claims contained in the Military’s statement suggests that the deceased did not warrant this inhumane and disproportionate use of force from a professional military officer whose training demands a far worthy example,” he said.
Mr. Norgbey insists that Mr Ofotsu died from the action of a 'trigger-happy' soldier.
His assertion is in sharp contrasts to the position of the Ghana Armed Forces that Mr Ofotsu died while he was attempting to disarm a soldier who had attempted to arrest him, leading to the soldier’s gun accidentally going off.
Mr. Norgbey is, therefore, calling for an independent investigations into the killing and appropriate punishment for the erring officers.
Read full statement below
KILLING OF MR. ERIC OFOTSU – ASHAIMAN MP DEMANDS JUSTICE
I have received with shock and outrage news of the cold-blooded killing of Mr. Eric Ofotsu (A.K.A. No Yawa), a constituent of mine in his mid-thirties who was allegedly shot by a military officer working to ensure compliance of the President’s COVID-19 lockdown directives.
As Member of Parliament for the Ashaiman Constituency, I condemn in the strongest possible terms this barbaric and wicked act of a trigger-happy military officer.
Information gathered from the scene which I have no basis to doubt and contrary to the claims contained in the Military’s statement suggests that the deceased did not warrant this inhumane and disproportionate use of force from a professional military officer whose training demands a far worthy example.
As much as the life of this young innocent gentleman cannot be brought back, I demand with immediate effect thorough and independent investigations into circumstances leading to the death of this young man.
We are also calling for the withdrawal of the trigger-happy soldier and all his colleagues on duty as at the time of the incident with immediate effect. This would be useful in managing tensions and preventing any further escalation.
I wish to commend the good people of Ashaiman for exercising great restraint in the face of needless provocation.
We in Ashaiman are disappointed in President Akufo-Addo who is Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces for his unacceptable silence on this major development when he addressed the nation on Sunday night, particularly as he sought to downplay the many incidents of human right violations and unwarranted excesses by security personnel enforcing his lockdown directives. A situation which the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has had cause to publicly condemn.
May I add that as much as many military officers have been quite professional in enforcing the lockdown, I would want to decry the manner in which some unscrupulous few are bringing the much-respected image of the Ghana Armed Forces into utter disrepute.
I reiterate our demand for an independent investigation and swift sanctions for those who would be found culpable.
In the meantime, I urge calm and plead with the youth who are currently agitating to exercise patience and wait for the outcome of investigations.
We shall not rest or be silent until justice is secured for the family of Mr. Ofotsu and for my constituents.
May the Good Lord accept the soul of Mr. Eric Ofotsu especially on this holy Palm Sunday.
Signed,
Hon. Ernest Henry Norgbey
[MP, Ashaiman Constituency]
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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MR MP u came to ashaiman kuffour station an donated only 2 veronaca bucket an u ashamed.
Everyone knows Ofotsu to be a semi-mad guy with twins in Ashaiman. Mr. MP U WERE NOT THERE... he actually struggled with the soldier and the auto-G3 gun BUTT hit the ground and the bullet went off. Mr. Norgbe, when u don't tell ur ruthless constituents to stay indoors the army would coma harder including urself. ***barred word***.
Look at this I D I O T who calls himself MP. A lawyer indeed.
When irresponsible men becomes MP. in your statement, you want the state to establish investigations into the alleged case then on the other hand you want a whole president to comment on an issues that have not been investigated ? He is a lawyer and knows the rules of engagement. in as much as the incident is bad, i will advice that we take our time to establish the facts involved so we all know the truth of the matter. My condolence to the bereaved family. Mr. MP, don't play politics with this because your argument will fall flat
I don’t know who posted this. There are some notorious young gangs ***barred word*** living in Ashiaman. It’s very ***barred word*** to wrestle with a soldier over his gone. Simply comply to the stay home order and a notorious Ashiaman guy will never. You die for nothing. Soldiers I know will never shoot if you follow his orders.
WHAT HAS AKUFFO ADDO GOT TO DO WITH THIS INCIDENT. CHEAP PROPAGANDA TO SCORE UNDESERVED POLITICAL POINTS. SHAME
NDC and their current crop of leaders di33333. No sense at all.Instead of telling your wayward constituents off for disobeying simple instruction that can help lessen the spread of COVID-19, this 1d-10+ who has lost his life will realise in the afterlife that being a +w=a+ is nothing to write home about. Gar-bage MP with empty brains.
These 1diots never miss any opportunity to do their propaganda. Has the president pulled any trigger to kill anybody in Ashiaman? If Mahama is wise, he will listen to Allotey Jacobs and recognize that his party men are actually working against him. Unfortunately, he is equally not wise. Ghanaians are no more gullible to fall to such 1diocy from NDC communicators.