A Legal Practitioner, Yaw Oppong has stated that the Director General of Police Human Resource and Administration, COP Patrick Timbilla’s house arrest infringes on his rights.
COP Timbilla was put under house arrest after he was implicated by some victims of the recruitment fraud.
The special taskforce set up to investigate the case is said to have discovered some text message evidence as well as correspondence between him and the victims.
[contextly_sidebar id=”3BSXc8EteUbW9hBFfjCQV4Z4N2Ez7POK”]Speaking on Citi FM’s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, Lawyer Oppong wondered why Timbilla was still under house arrest when there is”reasonable suspicion that he has committed an offence.”
“… If we have reasonable suspicion that this gentleman has committed an offence, why is the person in a house arrest. …His arrest means he cannot move freely, he cannot move out of his house?What is that”he queried.
Using the constitution to support his claim Mr. Oppong further stated that “Article 14(2) makes it very clear that a person who is arrested, restricted or detained shall be informed immediately in the language that he understands of the reason for his arrest, restrictions for detentions and of his right to lawyer of his choice.”
He pointed out that Timbilla’s continuous restriction of his movement will be unconstitutional if he is not released “by close of Monday.”
Click on audio to listen to Lawyer Oppong
Involve others
Meanwhile Security Analyst, Proper Nii Nortey Addo has asked the Police administration to allow other state investigative bodies to examine allegations of complicity against Timbilla.
Speaking to Citi News, Proper Nii Nortey Addo said the Police should be transparent by allowing other bodies to be part of the investigations.
“The Police Service alone, given that a senior officer is involved, should not be left to handle the case alone.”
He said though the Police Service has its “laid down procedures”, other stakeholders should be involved to promote objectivity and transparency.
“For the sake and image of the Service and especially the Commissioner involved, it is important that as this investigation goes on it is done in an objective way.That at every stage, all the actors and stakeholders that need to be involved are involved.”
He believes the image of the Police Service will be “boosted” if the issue is taken to its “conclusion in a credible manner”
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah