[ 2016-04-23 ]

BNI arrest of Akufo-Addo photographer, bodyguard 'needless' – Baako
Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide
newspaper says the recent detention of the
photographer and bodyguard of the flagbearer of
the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo by
the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) is a
“needless avoidable action”.

According to the senior journalist, the BNI could
have gone about its duties without having to
detain the two men.

BNI detained Nana Akufo-Addo’s photographer, and
his bodyguard on Tuesday, April 19 for failing to
fill the “Suspect Personality Profile”.

Narrating the incident on JOYNEWS, head of
security for the NPP flagbearer, Captain Edmund
Koda said the two; Kojo Kyeremeh and Malik
Neequaye accompanied him to the BNI office to take
his belongings the BNI took from his residence
during a search.

He said the two served as his witnesses before the
search was done so they took count of things taken
from his residence.

Captain Koda said upon their arrival, the two were
asked to fill the form but they declined saying
they would want to contact their lawyer first,
which the BNI officials agreed to.

When they returned for the second time, the two
refused to fill the form again arguing their
lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo had advised them
against it.

Speaking on the Joy FM/MultTV’s news analysis
program, NEWSFILE, Mr. Baako said the action
represents “yet another” unnecessary action of
the BNI.

“We have moved on as a nation”, he said
arguing that if the BNI is not stopped in the
manner it is going about its duty in the country,
it will end up creating feelings of disaffection
among many Ghanaians.

The conduct of BNI must be such that it does not
sow the seed of discord among Ghanaians, he
continued.

On her part, a law lecturer at the Ghana Institute
of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA),
Clara Beeri Kasser-Tee expressed her
disappointment in the action of the BNI.

According to her, the rampant disregard for
people’s rights and detention of Ghanaians raise
the issue of, “whether BNI officials understand
the law” at all. She charged the national
security institution to be professional in the way
it goes about its duties.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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