The Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), has detained the personal photographer and private bodyguard of the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo.
Sources within the party who confirmed this to Citi News, said the two were detained on Tuesday evening because they refused to fill “Personality profile” forms at the Bureau.
The office of the NPP Flagbearer later in a statement confirmed the detention.
[contextly_sidebar id=”DkNVBIFgIfQnXxHQ4OptULxww3zs7MQr”]The pair had accompanied Captain Edmond Koda to the BNI on Tuesday, to retrieve some items they collected from his residence some weeks ago.
A search was carried out at Capt. Koda’s residence following his engagement with the three South African nationals accused of breaching the country’s laws while they were offering security training to the security detail of the NPP Presidential Candidate.
The pair, Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, were said to have acted as witnesses at the time the BNI took custody of the items from Captain Koda and had to be present at the time of the release.
But the BNI insisted the pair must fill the “Personality Profile” forms, despite an explicit advice from their lawyers not to do so.
Captain Koda’s earlier detention
Captain Koda was implicated in the arrest of the three South African ex-Police officers who were arrested for allegedly training private security personnel of the NPP Presidential Candidate.
He was controversially re-arrested on the day charges against him had been dropped.
The 69-year old retired Captain of the Ghana Armed Forces, was held by the BNI for five days for his alleged role in the invitation of the three ex-police officers amidst claims from his lawyers he was treated unfairly and his rights abused.
He was eventually released on health grounds after he reportedly took ill in BNI custody.
Public bashing of the BNI’s activities has heightened in recent times with many accusing the security agencies of acting arbitrarily.
Below is a statement from Nana Akufo-Addo’s office on the detention of the two.
AKUFO-ADDO’S PHOTOGRAPHER & BODYGUARD DETAINED BY BNI
The personal photographer and bodyguard of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party were this evening detained by the Bureau of National Investigations for complying with the orders of their lawyers not to sign “Personality Profile” forms presented to them by officers of the BNI.
The pair, Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, had accompanied Captain Koda, head of Nana Akufo-Addo’s security detail, this afternoon to the offices of the BNI, where items taken from the residence of Captain Koda were to be returned to him. Indeed, at the time the items were taken from Captain Koda’s residence, the two gentlemen served as witnesses.
However, some 2 weeks ago, the BNI indicated to Captain Koda that the items taken from his residence were to be returned to him, on condition that he brought along the two witnesses who were present when the items were taken.
Upon arrival at the BNI office, the two were asked to fill out “Personality Profile” forms – forms reserved for suspects – after which the items will be released. The two indicated to the BNI officers that they would have to consult their lawyers since they were only present, merely, to witness the return of items taken by the BNI.
After consultation with their lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo, they were advised not to fill out the “Personality Profile” forms, but should only ‘witness’, through the provision of their names and signature, on the document containing the list of the items that were to be returned.
Kwadwo Kyeremeh and Malik Neequaye, returning to the offices of the BNI this afternoon, together with Captain Koda, told the officers of the BNI the advice of their lawyers, which was explicitly not to fill the “Personality Profile” forms.
The BNI officials, acting on “orders from above”, then detained the two gentlemen and proceeded to ask Captain Koda to leave the offices of the BNI.
The two are still being held at the BNI premises without charge.
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By: Godwin Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana