News
Minority calls for independent investigation into missing narcotic substance
The Minority in Parliament is demanding an independent investigation into the ‘disappearance’ of whitish substance suspected to be cocaine in the latest arrest of a cache of drugs at Kpoglo near Aflao in the Volta Region.
The substance weighing 100.10 grams was reported missing from the list of suspected illicit drugs and US$200,000 from a syndicate on the Ghana-Togo border on June 5, 2020.
Since then, the Director General of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Francis Torkornoo, has blamed the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority for failing to account for the substance.
Speaking with journalists in Parliament, in Accra, yesterday, the Ranking Member on the Defense and Interior Committee of the House and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, said the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the substance must be established.
“The Minority calls for the immediate setting up of an independent committee of inquiry to establish amongst others, the circumstances under which the cocaine impounded by NACOC and entrusted in the hands of the Customs Division of the GRA disappeared,” he said.
According to Mr Agalga, the Minority was of the considered view that “the lack of synergy amongst the country’s security agencies at our borders mirrors the failure of the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as Chairman of the National Security Council.
“Such failure portends grave danger to our national security as a whole.”
Mr Agalga said there were unanswered questions which should be addressed even as the investigative team is put together to get to the bottom of the matter.
“How did the impounded vehicle manage to cross the border into Ghana at a time our borders remain closed as part of measures rolled out by the President to stem the spread of COVID-19.
“Are the security agencies namely, NACOC, Customs, Immigration, Police and the Bureau of National Investigations not required to collaborate in their quest to protect our country against the commission of cross-border crimes?” Mr Agalga asked.
He said the lack of collaboration between the NACOC and the Customs Division of the GRA was a very dangerous development which must be dealt with expeditiously.
“If nothing is done about the impasse between the two, you can be sure that our national security in the long run is going to be compromised in a manner that could be detrimental to our collective security as a people,” he posited.
Mr Agalga was baffled why the Customs Division of the GRA was yet to publicly speak on the allegation levelled against it by the NACOC boss that they were to be blamed for the disappearance of the substance.
He said owing to past experiences where cocaine got missing from the custody of the police in 2006 and 2008, “the current government (must) follow precedent by allowing an independent body to thoroughly investigate the Aflao cocaine saga.”
Source: Ghanaian Times
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it has successfully conducted constituency executive elections in 245 out of its 276 constituencies across the country.
The party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, said the exercise recorded an 88.7 per cent success rate and was conducted peacefully in the constituencies where voting took place.
In an update posted on his Facebook page, he said elections in 23 constituencies were put on hold because of various disputes.
He added that four constituencies Ningo Prampram, Atwima Mponua, Obuasi West and Trobu could not hold their elections due to last minute challenges.
According to him, the party’s National Steering Committee will also review election activities in Afigya Sekyere East, Adansi Asokwa, Bantama and Asante Akyem Central.
Mr Frimpong said the National Secretariat is committed to resolving all outstanding issues to ensure the successful completion of the constituency executive elections.
He expressed appreciation to members of the party for their support and discipline throughout the exercise.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all Patriots for their commitment, discipline, and support, which contributed to the successful conduct of these elections,” he stated.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Northern Regional Police Command has arrested two Nigerian nationals in connection with the murder of a 36-year-old Nigerian man at Sanzirigu in Tamale.
The suspects, identified as Daniel Victor Eze and David Oko Ewa, were arrested on Saturday, July 11, shortly after the body of Nkemujika Uzorchuku Eze was found in his bedroom.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations showed that the deceased lived in a three-bedroom apartment with his wife, Peace Uzorchuku, the two suspects and another Nigerian national, Godwin Nwafor.
The Police said officers began investigations after receiving a report that the deceased had been found lying in a pool of blood in his room.
A team that visited the scene found that he had suffered a deep cut to the forehead and had a towel stuffed into his mouth. The room had also been ransacked.
The Police said a wooden pestle believed to have been used in the attack, together with other items, was recovered from the scene for forensic examination.
The body was taken to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where a medical officer confirmed him dead before it was deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
According to the Police, intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the two suspects at Tatale on the same day while they were allegedly attempting to escape into the Republic of Togo.
They were later handed over to the Tamale District Criminal Investigations Department to assist with investigations.
The Police said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they had conspired to kill the deceased because he had been withholding money they claimed was obtained through internet fraud.
A search conducted after their arrest led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen from the deceased’s room, including mobile phones, laptop computers, a tablet, jewellery, clothing, wristwatches, personal documents and other valuables. The Police said the items have been kept as exhibits to support the investigations.
The suspects remain in Police custody and are expected to appear before court on Monday, July 13, to facilitate the ongoing investigations.
The Northern Regional Police Command said it remains committed to bringing everyone involved in the crime to justice and urged the public to provide credible information to help fight crime.
By: Jacob Aggrey
