Private legal practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, over the treatment meted out to some citizens who demonstrated against galamsey.
Some persons who stormed the streets to express their displeasure over the ongoing illegal mining also known as ‘galamsey’ were arrested and detained by the police for causing destruction to State properties.
The suspects, who were put before court have been remanded for two more weeks, a development many have criticised, considering the devastating levels of destruction caused by galamsey which the people were protesting against.
According to Mr. Kpebu, the IGP must resign with his Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofie, for also failing to prosecute Akonta Mining Company on its galamsey activities.
He says the company which belongs to the Ashanti regional Chairman of the NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, also known as ‘Wontumi’, is involved in illegal mining, documents of which have been sent to the police but have failed to prosecute the matter since.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the renowned lawyer indicated that the said State properties which the police charged the protestors for destroying are not precious than their lives to warrant a two-week remand, especially when the Supreme Court has ruled that every offence in the country is bailable.
“A citizen’s life is more precious than the properties that are alleged to have been destroyed etc, so we are not punishing citizens when they have not been put to trial. The police don’t need them in custody for two weeks,” he stated.
“That’s why I’m saying IGP has to go, he and Madam Andoh-Kwofie. We reported Akonta mining why didn’t they prosecute that case?” he asked, adding that a prosecution of the case would have had a serious effect on the fight against galamsey by serving as a deterrent to others.
“He failed to prosecute Wontumi and also infringed on the rights of the demonstrators. He abused the rights of these citizens who were demonstrating,” Mr. Kpebu added.
Aftermath of Democracy Hub Protest: Martin Kpebu gives reasons why Inspector-General of Police must resign.#GhanaTonight pic.twitter.com/MuZ4y9oCAU
— #3NewsGH (@3NewsGH) September 25, 2024
