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‘Controversial’ Gender Minister is in the hot soup as some members of Pro-NDC group called the Young Cadres Association [YCA] has petitioned the Chief Justice [CJ] to issue a warrant for the arrest of Madam Otiko Djaba.

The group wants the minister and under arrest in connection with NPP’s Upper East regional chairman, Adams Mahama.

The petition signed by the General Secretary of the group, Bright Botchway stated that – “We, the leadership of the Young Cadres Association (YCA) a political youth activist group, on behalf of our members, would like to petition your high office to cause the arrest and prosecution of Mrs Otiko Afisa Djaba and Bukari Rockson."

“ . . The said persons are personalities of high standing in the nation and appointees of His Excellency, President Akuffo Addo and thus any mud thrown at them indirectly damage the image of the President and the citizenry as well. It is thus in accordance with the laws of natural justice to grant these persons an opportunity to redeem their names by putting them before the law courts,” the statement read. 

Their petition comes after the Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party; Daniel Bugri Naabu alleged that Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba was deeply involved in the killing of NPP’s Upper East regional chairman, Adams Mahama.

“Otiko has been a controversial woman in the party. As I’m telling you, this Adams issue, she was deeply involved, so because of that most of us who know her will call her a controversial woman," Bugri Naabu said in an interview on Accra-based Radio XYZ.

Over the weekend, Otiko had an altercation with Bugri Naabu on Friday in Tamale after the NPP National Women's Organiser said she went to meet women organisers of the party in the Northern region.

Otiko Djaba, however, alleged that Bugri Naabu has collected monies, goats, cows and other things from people in exchange of jobs in the Nana Addo-led administration.

She stated that "it is not the mandate of the regional chairman to decide who is a caterer [to the School Feeding programme]."

Bugri Naabu in response to the gender minister said "You’ll be surprised that some of these people who masterminded the killing of Adams have come to take positions in the government . . . like the Upper East Regional Minister. He was deeply involved in the masterminded killing of Adams."

Below is the YCA petition to the CJ

Petition to Arrest Madam Otiko Djaba and Mr Bukari Rockson in Connection with Adams Mahama's Death

We, the leadership of the Young Cadres Association (YCA) a political youth activist group, on behalf of our members, would like to petition your high office to cause the arrest and prosecution of Mrs Otiko Afisa Djaba and Bukari Rockson. The said persons are personalities of high standing in the nation and appointees of His Excellency, President Akuffo Addo and thus any mud thrown at them indirectly damages the image of the President and the citizenry as well. It is thus in accordance with the laws of natural justice to grant these persons an opportunity to redeem their names by putting them before the law courts

The facts of the case, Sir, as you are aware of are that exactly two years ago this month, Ghanaians woke up to news of the gruesome murder of Adams Mahama, the then Upper East regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who was bathed in acid in a alleged reprisal attack over political disagreements.

Not only did this dastardly act shake the very foundations of Ghanaian politics, but it also led to a spike in the number of acid bath incidents around the country.

As prosecutors struggle to convict those who have been arrested in connection with this murder, there is a new development which could potentially lead to a break in the deadlock as to who really murdered Adams Mahama.

Mr Bugri Naabu, the Northern regional chairman of the NPP has offered an important clue as to who murdered Adams Mahama. The leading NPP figure has revealed in an interview with an Accra-based radio station that Madam Otiko Afisa Djaba (Minister for Gender, Women and Children's Affairs) and Mr Bukari Rockson (Upper East Regional Minster) have a hand in the murder. What then are we waiting for?

It is not always that high-profile murder cases in this country get such huge breakthroughs and as such we belief the Police administration should take this huge opportunity presented to get to the bottom of this case.

The law enforcement agencies have done their best in trying to bring the culprits of that gory attack to book, although the snail-pace approach of the justice system has all but heightened the apprehension of the family of the deceased. As the case is currently in the law courts, we will not stray so far as to be held for contempt.

We believe and trust in the high professional standards of the Ghana Police and believe this professionalism would be brought to bare in this important issue. In the end any move made will go a long way in making the public repose confidence in the Police administration.
We count on your high office for a favourable response to this petition.
Thank you.

Signed:
Bright Botchway
General Secretary
YCA
(0249999145)

Ebo Crentsil
National Coordinator
YCA
(0244148654)
Cc.The chief justice
Judiciary service Accra