GRi at the Wuaku Commission on Yendi crises

Accra (Greater Accra) 16 July 2002- Ms Gloria Afua Akuffo, Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice announced on Monday that President John Agyekum Kufuor would soon nominate a new counsel for the Wuaku Commission, following the death of Mr George Kwartey Owoo, the Counsel, last Friday.

Ms Akuffo told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that the Commission, which is probing the Yendi crisis, should have resumed its public hearing on Monday at the usual venue at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region after a short break.

Asked how soon the President was likely to do the replacement Ms Akuffo replied she could not speculate on the matter. I do not speculate... I don't work at the Presidency. It is the President who must decide, not my office. The President has been informed about the death and I cannot tell you how soon the announcement would be made about the replacement.

I, however, hope it would be very soon in order not to adversely affect the work of the Commission,“ she explained. Mr Owoo, 67, died at his Mataheko residence in Accra after a sudden illness.

GRi…/

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Commission warns witnesses against disrespect for counsel

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 06 July 2002- Mr Justice Isaac Newton Kwaku Wuaku, Chairman of the Wuaku Commission probing into the Yendi conflict on Friday warned witnesses to refrain from showing disrespect to the Commission and counsel representing the two gates. "The Commission will no longer tolerate cheeky answers and those who continue to do so will be shown the proper place to sit," he said.

Mr Wuaku gave the warning when an Andani witness, Mr Yakubu Mahama, alias Ayakuba, had an encounter with Nana Obiri Boahen, Leading Counsel for the Abudus when he appeared before the Commission on Friday. Mahama who had alleged in his statement to the police that he heard Abdul Razak alias Nyaba, a Yendi-based photographer and others from the Abudu Gate discussing the death of the Ya-Na on 27 March, appeared as the 62nd witness of the Commission.

The witness told the Commission that in the morning of Wednesday, 27 March, while urinating in front of his house, "I saw Razak in the company of others shouting on top of his voice that 'we have killed your chief, Yakubu'." Mahama alleged that Razak also said he took pictures of the severed head of the Ya-Na and this prompted another young man to remark that, "I am also going to take pictures of it."

It was when Nana Obiri Boahen took over the cross-examination and started to question witness about the authenticity of his statement to the police and evidence to the Commission that Mahama fumed and began with his cheeky responses to questions.

Mahama told the Commission that on the night of Tuesday (26 March) he became frightened because of the intense firing and had to take his wife and children to a safer place to avoid being hit by stray bullets. He said he did not join them although he was frightened since he could not leave his father behind.

Nana Obiri Boahen: You told your wife to take your children away since Wednesday, 27 March, was going to be a doomsday for the Abudus.

Mahama: I don't know anything about what you are saying. Nana Boahen: I put it to you that you were among a group of Andanis who set out to attack the Bolen-Lana's house on the Wednesday morning.

Witness then became angry and questioned: "Did you see it yourself or somebody told you?" adding: "I won't accept this because I don't know anything about what you are saying." Nana Obiri Boahen at this juncture told the interpreter to ask Mahama to exercise patience in his responses.

Mahama retorted that "What the lawyer is asking me is bad and if I accept it, then I am worse off than even an animal. "When Nana Obiri Boahen submitted that Mahama among others were preparing for war that was why he sent his family away, witness countered "I want to know from the lawyer if he saw me with his own eyes or heard it from somebody."

Mr Justice Wuaku then intervened and told witness not to be rude and evasive but to answer questions appropriately, to which Mahama replied that, "I still stand by my word."

The Chairman reminded Mahama that he (Mahama) had also told the Commission in his evidence about some of the things that he heard but did not rpt not see and should therefore not be angry with questions from counsel. When Nana Obiri Boahene resumed and wanted to know what witness went to do at the Gbewaa Palace in the morning of 27 March, he defied the Commission's directive to him to respond appropriately and said: "I will not rpt not answer questions that I don't know anything about."

Mahama: I want to tell the lawyer that all those who told him all these things are liars." It took the intervention of counsel for the Andanis to calm down the witness and an admonition by the Commission's Chairman before he could calm down and answer questions as expected.

Mahama, a farmer and butcher, said he heard shooting when he and others went to the cemetery to bury a fellow butcher at the precincts of the Gbewaa palace, and added that the shooting continued the following day so he remained indoors until the evening when he sent his family to a safer place.

After visiting his family on Wednesday morning, witness said he also went to his father's house and whilst there he heard sporadic gunshots outside. Mahama said he saw one Alhaji Bawa shooting into the air and shouting "we have killed your chief, weak people, if you are not rpt not afraid come out."

Commission: Did you see Alhaji Bawa shooting?

Mahama: I saw him shooting outside but he never saw me.

Commission: How did you know that he did not see you?

Mahama: If he had seen me, he would have shot me.

Witness laughed after giving this answer but Mr Justice Wuaku remarked:

"This is no laughing matter. We are here for serious business and you should endeavour to tell the truth."

Mahama told the Commission that his evidence was true and that he saw Alhaji Bawa.The Commission asked witness to indicate the distance from where he was and where he saw Bawa standing. He demonstrated by walking from the witness box to a spot outside the auditorium, which measured up to 105 metres.

It was all drama when the Commission asked Mahama to go the distance of 117 metres to shout to demonstrate where and how he heard the conversation between Razak and others about the death of the Ya-Na. The audience could not help but laugh when he shouted in Dagbani, which was interpreted as "we have killed your chief and cut off his head."

When Abdul Razak was invited to cross-examine Mahama, he (Razak) stated that he did not go near the palace and that he was being accused falsely but Mahama maintained that he saw him and others. When asked to question Razak, Mahama replied that, "I have no question for him since he will not tell the truth."

Before discharging Mahama, Mr Justice Wuaku reminded witnesses about the need to give truthful evidence "since the charge of murder is not a small matter for people to joke with." Imoru Shaani, 63rd witness, told the Commission that he travelled to Tamale on 23 March for a business transaction and returned to Yendi on Friday, 29 March.

When told by Mr George Owoo, Counsel for Commission that there was evidence before the Commission that on Wednesday 27 March, he, Idana Sugri and others were seen in jubilation at the scene where the Ya-Na's body was being burnt, witness replied that it was not true.

Shaani denied as untrue a suggestion by Mr Charles Hayibor, leading counsel for the Andanis that, he (witness) and others were seen by Nantogmah and his friend wielding guns and dragging the Ya-Na's body, to a cattle kraal. He told the Commission that he heard of the Ya-Na's death on the radio at 6.00 pm. while in Tamale.

Asked by the Commission what he went to do specifically in Tamale, Shaani said he went to arrange for a bulldozer for his friends who needed to construct a dam at a village in the Yendi District.

Commission: Why did you spend about one week in Tamale on that business?

Witness: The bulldozer I wanted to hire had broken down and the owners asked me to wait for it to be repaired.

Alhaji Alidu Abdulai, driver of Benz bus with registration number AS 9694 C, which was allegedly used to convey weapons and men from Tamale to assist the Andanis also appeared before the Commission. He stated that at about 7.30am on Tuesday, 26 March, he carried passengers from Tamale to Yendi, reaching his destination at about 9.30am.

Abdulai said after all the passengers had alighted at the Yendi Station two elderly men appealed to him to drop them at their houses to which he complied, "because of the respect I had for them." He said he dropped them at a place near their house, close to the Gbewaa Palace, because many people had gathered there.

Witness said after parking his vehicle at the Mobil Station to attend to nature's call, he came back only to be told that some Abudus had taken the bus away. Abdulai, who testified as the 64th witness said he reported the matter to the GPRTU and whilst there, a large number of the Abudus came to confront him.

He said the Yendi GPRTU Secretary then called in the police who escorted and placed him into custody till about 4.00 pm before he was released. Abdulai, who said he later found his bus parked at the police station added that he spent the night at Yendi because of the tense situation and departed for Tamale the following morning. He said he took 38 passengers, and did not take any cargo on the trip to Yendi.

To a question from Mr Owoo, witness replied that the passengers were not in uniform and there were both men and women.

Cross-examined by Nana Obiri Boahen, witness said he had been plying the Tamale-Yendi route since 1975.

Nana Obiri Boahen: Do you know lawyer Ibrahim Mahama?

Abdulai: I have heard his name but I do not know him personally.

Nana Obiri Boahen: What about Grupe-Na (chief of Tamale)?

Abdulai: I don't know him.

Nana Obiri Boahen: On Tuesday 26 March, he hired your vehicle to Yendi.

Abdulai: I swear by the Quoran that it is not true.

Witness also denied knowledge of Achana, Diba, Imrana Shaibu, who were alleged to be on board his vehicle that morning by remarking: "there is no law in Ghana that compels drivers to take down names of passengers who board their vehicles."

Abdulai told the Commission that it was not true that his bus was loaded with weapons since he would have been arrested at the Tamale and Yendi barriers.

Commission: Despite these barriers, weapons and ammunition managed to get to Yendi. Abdulai: My Lord, I swear that I did not carry weapons.

Witness stated that he was not told when his statement was taken that he (Abdulai) had been charged with carrying weapons although the statement was read back to him.Abdulai said he did not charge the two old men who requested him to drop them, neither did he charge for any small luggage carried by passengers on the bus.

He added that he did not know of the conflict before he reached Yendi and that he charged each passenger 5,500 cedis. Abdulai said he did not know how his bus was taken away to the Abudus since he went away with the ignition key. Witness recounted that his mate, whom he left with the bus later re-surfaced and when asked about the bus, he (mate) told him that he went to fetch water and did not know where the bus was.

Commission: Were the young men going to attack you because of the two old men?

Abdulai: I heard later that it was because of them, since the Abudus thought that I was hired by them to carry weapons to the Andanis. The Chairman then told him he would be recalled to testify, before discharging him conditionally.

Yakubu Mahama, 34, who appeared before the Commission on Tuesday, 2 July, as the 52nd witness but was not made to give evidence because of discrepancies in his statement to the police was recalled.

He told the Commission that whilst standing in front of the Gbewaa palace in the evening of Monday, 25 March, one Anyoma in the company of two others, Pashina and Sagyildo, shot at him hitting his buttocks. Anyoma and his accomplices took to their heels after shooting, he added.

Witness said the Ya-Na asked that he should be sent to the police station to lodge a complaint, but the policemen redirected them to the Yendi Government Hospital where he was admitted after a surgical operation.

Mahama said he remained on his bed in the hospital till Wednesday afternoon when his nephew, Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, who was also wounded, was also brought to the hospital. When I asked about the situation of the Ya-Na, Nantogmah shook his head and said "uncle, it is not good."

Mahama, who nearly shed tears at this point, said he wanted to go and verify what had actually happened to the Ya-Na but a policeman at the hospital restrained him, saying it was better for him to remain at the hospital because the sad end of the Ya-Na was unpleasant for him to see.

When leading counsel for Andanis asked Mahama to show the scar of the gunshot wound to the Commission, witness undressed half-naked in the full glare of the cameras, plunging the auditorium into absolute silence.

In answer to a question by Nana Boahen, witness admitted that it was exclusively the Ya-Na and his wives who occupied the main building of the Gbewaa Palace.

Nana Boahen: On 27 March, Ayoma, Sagyildo and Pashima did not come near the

Gbewaa Palace?

Witness: I saw them around the palace.

Counsel: It is not true that they attacked the palace.

Witness: It is true they attacked the palace and even shot at me.

Nana Boahen suggested to Mahama that on Monday, 25 March, the entire precincts of the Gbewaa Palace was massed up by the Andanis, holding guns in readiness to fight, to which witness replied cheekily, "If so, whom were they going to fight?"Nana Boahen retorted that it was the Abudus that they (Andanis) were going to fight.

The Chairman of the Commission asked witness to exercise patience when it was realised that he was fuming and being evasive with cheeky responses to counsel's questions. When the Commission asked about who shot him since in his statement to the police on 2 July, witness did not mention anyone. This was at variance with the allegation in his evidence that Ayoma shot him but Mahama maintained that, Ayoma was the one who shot him.

Mr Justice Wuaku announced before the end of proceedings that the Commission had adjourned sittings till Tuesday, 16 July. He, however, did not give reasons for the adjournment. The Chairman again reminded the elders of the two gates to comply with the directive of the Commission about the number of their members that the Commission could cater for.

GRi…/

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Ya Na had foreknowledge of his murder - Witness

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 05 July 2002- Mr Abdulai Andani, a driver at the Dagbon State Technical School at Yendi on Thursday told the Wuaku Commission that the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, had foreknowledge about his murder. "The Ya-Na told us to go far away from him and if he is killed, then, we perform his funeral," he said.

Andani, who referred to the late Ya Na as "my senior brother," was testifying as the 60th witness at the commission's sitting at Sunyani. He added that the Ya-Na was certain about what was going to happen to him and told them on Monday, 25 March, to be prepared to organise his funeral.

The witness told the commission that he stayed at home and never went to the palace throughout the conflict period. Explaining in an answer to a question by the commission as to why he did not go to defend the Ya Na, he said; "we were not prepared for war because the Andanis don't fight.

Andani said while returning from Tamale with his school headmaster after attending a meeting at the Ghana Secondary School (GHANASCO) at about 4.30pm on 25 March, he saw some fighters from the Abudu Gate in local bullet proof attire and holding guns. He identified two of the fighters as "No Way" and one Odartey, who was a cook at the Yendi Secondary School, when pressed to do so by counsel for the Commission, Mr George Owoo.

Andani stated that at home he was informed that the Yendi town-ship had not known peace that morning due to sporadic firing. Witness said on Tuesday, 26 March when he went to work, fighting resumed and the headmaster was compelled to ask them to go home in order not to be hit by stray bullets, witness added.

Andani said in the morning of 27 March, eight persons, who claimed their houses had been burnt, took refuge in his house.Witness said they were discussing the calamity that had befallen the town when one Yakubu Yusif, alias "Leftie," who was riding a motorbike, came to tell them that, "we have cut off your leader's head."

He added, however, that Yusif was not carrying anything at the back of his motorbike.

The Commission called Yusif to the witness box at this point and asked Andani if he knew him (Yusif) to which he replied in the affirmative.

When leading counsel for the Andanis, Charles Hayibor took over the cross-examination he asked Andani where he knew "No Way". He is a "lotto seller" and lives at Yendi, Andani replied.

Counsel: how did you understand Lefty's statement that "we have cut-off your leader's head?"

Andani: I understood it to mean that they had killed the senior one, the Ya-Na.

Counsel: How was he (Leftie) dressed?

Andani: He was wearing a T-shirt over trousers.

Witness told the Commission when counsel for the Abudus, Nana Obiri Boahen took over the cross-examination that they did not challenge Yusif when he informed them about the statement he made "because we were frightened."

Nana Obiri Boahen: you did not see Yusif (Leftie) on 27 March and neither did he tell you anything?

Andani: He came there, my lord, and gave us the information.

Nana Boahen: You were among a group of Andanis who set off to attack the Bolen-Lana's house.

Andani: That is not true, my lord.

Andani stated that he did not know that the Andani fighters had occupied

Nayirifo (palace area) One and Two between 25-27 March in answer to a question from Nana Obiri Boahen.

He added that it was not true that both the Andanis and the Abudus were defending their leaders, maintaining his earlier statement that the Andanis were not prepared for war.

Commission: When Yusif (Leftie) told you about the death of the Ya-Na, was he informing you or boasting?

Andani: He was boasting.

Commission: Why didn't you go to work on Wednesday, 27 March?

Andani: Because everybody was running away and I stayed in my house throughout.

Yusif, who is a Yendi-based building contractor, broke down in tears at the tail end of his evidence when Mr George Owoo, Counsel for the Commission, compelled him to mention the names of members of his family whom he said he took refuge with at the Guest- house of the Northern Regional Rural Integrated Programme.

Yusif, 61st witness, continued to shed tears over the allegation levelled against him by Andani, even after his discharge by the Commission. Andani had alleged in his evidence that on Wednesday, 27 March, Yusif came to him in the morning on a motorbike with the information that the Abudus had decapitated their (Andani) leader.

Yusif on resuming his seat in the audience remarked to some of the Abudus that, "this man is making false allegation against me whilst I have been taking care of his two daughters who have stayed with me since the death of his wife."

Yusif told the Commission in his evidence that he left Yendi at 9.30 am on Monday, 25 March for Bumbonayiri, a town in the Yendi District, where he was constructing a nurses' bungalow and remained there till the evening.

He said he learnt of the firing at Yendi between the two gates through a market woman who informed him at his project site that pandemonium had broken out in Yendi. Witness said on his way back at about 6.30pm, the information about the clash was confirmed when he realised that the Yendi-Gushegu barrier was deserted by the security men on duty.

For fear of my life, I did not even go to my house but proceeded to the house of my friend, Suleman Danlardi Alhassan, and convinced him to accompany me to seek refuge at the NORRIP Guest House, he said.

Witness added that, that night he managed to go for his two wives and children to join them at the Guest- house. Yusif told the Commission: "I actually did not witness the hostilities because I remained at the place (Guest House) till around 12.30pm on Wednesday when I left for my house."

When Mr Charles Hayibor, Leading Counsel for the Andanis suggested to Yusif that all those who sought refuge at the NORRIP Guest House arrived there in the morning of Monday, 25 March, witness replied that he could not know "because at that time I was in Bumbonayiri."

To another suggestion that none of those who ran to the Guest House left the place till Wednesday evening, Yusif said, "I cannot know because I am not the watchman nor a security personnel at the place."

Hayibor: "It was when you left NORRIP that Andani said he saw you?"

Yusif: "No, I never saw Andani throughout the period of the fight, it is not true." Witness replied in an answer to a question by the Commission that he heard of the Ya-Na's death on the radio in the evening of Wednesday, 27 March.

Yusif, who described himself as only a sympathiser of the Abudus explained to the Commission that "all those who are not royals of the Abudu Gate, but mere sympathisers are referred to as "Alugutee". Non-royals of the Andani Gate but who are the gate's sympathisers are also called "Churuu", he added.

Witness explained that in Dagbani parlance, each of the two sympathising groups, are regarded as leaves, "meaning that, without them, the Dagbon State would continue to exist."

Mr Alhassan Mohammed Yusif, alias King Hassan, a Principal Storekeeper at the Yendi Secondary School, who also appeared before the Commission said that although he knew about the conflict he did not take part. He was alleged to have killed one Fuseini Kuma during the conflict when Iddrisu Yakubu testified before the Commission earlier.

Alhassan, the 58th witness, also denied knowing Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, son of the late Ya-Na who testified that he saw him (Alhassan) holding a gun during the crisis. He said all allegations levelled against him were false since he was nowhere near where the fight took place.

The witness said he lost his mother on 11 March and after she had been buried the following day he left for Accra to welcome his uncle, Alhaji Lukeman Iddris who had returned from Mecca. He said he returned to Yendi in the evening of Sunday, 24 March and engaged two masons to work on his building in preparation towards the final funeral rites of his late mother.

Alhassan stated that it was when he was supervising the masons on the morning of Monday, 25 March, that he heard gunshots in town and this forced them to close at 1pm. He said although they went to continue with the renovation on Tuesday, 26 March they had to abandon the work because of the intense firing.

Alhassan said he stayed indoors on Wednesday, 27 March till about 1pm when calm had restored. Asked why he gave his statement to the police as late as 2 July, witness said it was because that was the time police approached him to do so.

Counsel for the Andanis, Mr Hayibor, suggested to witness that he was seen riding a motorbike with a gun on Tuesday, 26 March, heading towards the Bolen-Lana's house but witness replied that it was not true.

Hayibor: I put it to you that you actively participated in the mayhem in Yendi.

Alhassan: It is not true since I cannot fight whilst still mourning my dead mother.

Commission: Did you know there was tension in town?

Alhassan: I heard about the curfew but it was lifted.

Commission: Why didn't you go back to work after the burial of your mother?

Alhassan: Because I obtained permission from my employers.

Commission: So you weren't moved by the tragedy after the conflict and continued to work on your building? Did you lose a relative?

Alhassan: No, my lord.

Iddrisu Yakubu, 57th witness, told the Commission that on his return from Tamale at about 5pm on Monday, 25 March, he went to the Gbewaa Palace where a lot of people had gathered, adding that some youth told him that the Andanis were attacked by the Abudus in the morning.

He said they were at the palace around 10am on Tuesday when they heard gunshots been fired at the palace of the Ya-Na by the Abudus. "Around 10am on Tuesday too, we heard gunshots towards the palace from the Abudu Gate and one Musah, a youth in the palace was hit in the leg by a bullet."

Witness said they became trapped inside the palace and did not know what to do because of the sporadic shooting by the Abudus. Yakubu also told the Commission that he later risked his life and left the palace to inform his father who was sick and in the house about the intensity of the shooting by the Abudus.

When the Commission's Counsel asked him why he left the palace when their lives were in danger, witness replied that he wanted to take his father to the palace where he felt was safer. Yakubu continued that when his father left the house, one Kwame Akyiri, who had hidden himself at a corner near their house, shot at his father, but he managed to proceed to the palace.

He said while fleeing with a colleague, Fusheni Kuma in the evening, they saw a group of people who had taken positions behind the Gbewaa palace.Witness alleged that Alhassan, a member of the group, shot at Fusheni, who was in front of him but missed his target because he (Fusheni) managed to hide in the cemetery.

At the invitation of the Commission, witness identified Alhassan at the auditorium as the one who shot Fusheni. Alhassan, however, denied knowing witness and said the allegation against him was false. Yakubu, who said Fusheni was now dead, told the Commission that the distance between him and Fusheni when the latter was hot by Alhassan was about 15.6 metres.

Alhassan Zakaria, a watchman at the Ghana Telecom Repeater Station in San, near Yendi, also gave evidence before the Commission as the 59th witness. He was alleged to have told the police that one Alolgah, an employee of Telecom and some people came to the station on Monday, 25 March to work on the telephone lines, which were down.

Zakaria who was scheduled as the first witness for the day refused to hold the Quoran to take the oath saying that he needed to "cleanse" himself before doing so. The Commission, therefore, had no choice but to allow him to "cleanse" himself and called other witnesses.

When Zakaria finally gave his evidence, he told the Commission that Alolgah and his maintenance team rather came to the station on Tuesday, 26 March and not Monday, 25 March. Witness said although he knew all those who came to the San Station with

Alolgah as staff of Telecom, he could not mention their names. Zakaria stated that the maintenance team told him that the trunk telephone calls to and from Yendi were not going through.

He said in reply to a question from the Commission that maintenance teams from Tamale frequently visited the station on routine maintenance duties. At the close of the sitting, Justice Wuaku advised witnesses not to get angry when counsel asked them questions since according to him they were doing their job.

He stated that any of the counsel could have appeared for any of the Gates and their job should not be seen as taking sides in the matter.

GRi…/

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Andani Counsel implicates security operative in Ya-Na's removal plot

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 04 July 2002- Mr Charles Hayibor, Leading Counsel for the Andanis on Wednesday alleged that Major Sulemana, a National Security Operative, participated in a meeting held in Bawku on 12 March this year to plan the removal of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II. He said at that meeting, the plot was to be effected during this year's fire festival in Yendi.

Mr Hayibor, who was cross-examining Yusif Ziblim, alias Afa Zee, a tailor in Yendi at the Wuaku Commission sitting, said the meeting was held in the house of one Alhaji Leinkuha and chaired by Alhaji Mustapha, a prominent opinion leader in Bawku.

Ziblim, who testified as the 56th witness denied ever attending such a meeting and asked Mr Hayibor to restrict his questions to the period from 25-27 March, which was under investigation by the Wuaku Commission. "I am not supposed to ask you questions on what happened during the conflict alone, but also on circumstances that led to the events of March 25-27 in Yendi," Mr Hayibor maintained.

Ziblim who testified as the second witness for the day had been mentioned by Mohammed Awal Musah, the first witness for the day, as an accomplice in the assassination of the Ya-Na. He, however, denied this allegation, saying he did not even know his accuser.

Ziblim also denied ever knowing Alhaji Mustapha whose house the said meeting allegedly took place in Bawku to discuss and plan the removal of the Ya-Na. He said he went to the Bolen-Lana's house on the morning of 25 March to seek refuge as a result of intense gunfire at the Gbewaa palace area where his house is situated. Ziblim stated that since there were many people in the Bolen-Lana's house, it was safer for him to go there for safety.

He admitted to a submission by the Commission that those who ran to the Bolen-Lana's house did so ostensibly to protect themselves against the onslaught of the Andanis. Asked how many people were at the Bolen-Lana's house, witness said there were many people, including women and children.

When witness said in an answer to a question that he did not see Idana in the house of the Bolen-Lana, Mr Justice I.N.K. Wuaku, Chairman of the Commission remarked: "I am not surprised that you did not see Idana, because you are refusing to speak the truth."

The Commission at this point invited Awal to cross-examine Ziblim to substantiate his (Awal's) allegation that he (Ziblim) was the one who confessed that he was among those who killed the Ya-Na.

Awal said he was surprised that Ziblim was denying any knowledge of him (Awal), saying he even once contracted him (Ziblim) to sew a smock for him.Witness said it took three months before Ziblim could sew the smock after he had collected money from him. "I do not even collect advances before sewing smocks for my clients. I sew in bulk before offering them to my clients for sale," Ziblim countered.

When Ziblim was asked to cross-examine Awal, he maintained that he does not know him (Awal), "so I cannot, therefore, ask a person whom I do not know any question." Mohammed Awal Musah, 55th witness and a farmer in Binchanataga, a village in the Nanumba District told the Commission that Ziblim came to him between 3:00 and 4:00 am on Wednesday, 26 March, with a message for the local chief that "they have achieved their aim."

The witness alleged that, the aim, as Ziblim told him, was the capture of the Gbewaa palace. "I questioned Ziblim about the possibility of taking over the palace because of the presence of military and police personnel around the place," he added.

Awal said Ziblim replied that the Ya-Na had refused to be given security protection by the military and the police; hence, the palace had been taken over. Witness said in view of the proximity of their family house to the Gbewaa palace, his aunt, one Ayi Andani gave him 10,000 cedis the next morning to hurry to Yendi to ascertain the truth in the information.

"On arriving at Yendi, I saw that both the palace and our house were in flames and I could not, therefore, go near the palace," he said. Witness alleged that in reply to an enquiry by one Mohammed about the conflict on Thursday, 28 March, Ziblim said, "the Abudus did not bring soldiers to kill the Ya-Na but rather it was he (Ziblim) and some others who killed him (Ya-Na)."

At this juncture the Commission Chairman intervened and asked witness to go and identify Ziblim amongst the Abudus in the auditorium, Awal cooly walked to where Ziblim sat and pointed at him. When Nana Obiri Boahen, a Counsel for the Abudus asked Awal what he was doing with his friend at that "unholy hour" of between 3:00 and 4:00 am, witness replied that because of the hot weather in the dry season, they normally slept outside "for fresh air".

In reply to a submission by counsel that he (Awal) did not see Ziblim and that his claim was false, witness maintained that, "if I had not seen him that time on Wednesday, I would not have said I saw him." When the Abudu Counsel submitted further that witness' claims against Ziblim were untrue and invented stories, Awal retorted: "I have a lot of work to do and if what I have said were not true, I would not have come to sit here and waste my time."

At this juncture, the Commission Chairman asked witness as to why he had mentioned 35 as his age but gave 27 to the police in his statement? Awal replied that it was a mistake by the police because he is 35 years. Mr. Justice Wuaku then advised him to speak respectfully since there were some people at the auditorium who were even older than his father.

Witness replied to the Chairman's admonition that, "I am not being cheeky, since I have not slapped anybody here." As to why he was determined to go to Yendi even though he was told on the way that the place was not safe, witness said he wanted to go there to see his family house and the Gbewaa palace.

Awal said he did not make a report to the police about what transpired between him and Ziblim because "I first wanted to see if the Gbewaa palace and my family house were not burnt." Nana Boahen (Abudu's Counsel): "You went to Yendi to fight in defence of the Ya-Na?" Awal: "If we fought, the palace would not have been burnt."

Nana Boahen: "You took to your heels to the village when you realised that the odds were against you (Andanis)?"

Awal: I was not among the fighters.

Witness admitted to a question by the Commission that he is not a native of Yendi .He added that Ziblim was normal when he confessed that he (Ziblim) and others killed the Ya-Na. When the Chairman detected there were a lot of inconsistencies in his evidence, he warned that the commission would be forced to use other means to establish the truth if witnesses who continued to tell lies, since its mission is a fact-finding one.

The commission conditionally discharged Awal and told him that he would be invited again when it is necessary. After a 10-minute recess at 12.00 noon, proceedings came to an end when it was announced that the interpreter, Mr Salifu Hamidu Gonja, was not feeling well.

Earlier, Mr. Justice Wuaku told the audience that an unidentified person threw a stone at the vehicle conveying the Abudu's on the way to their hotel after yesterday's (Tuesday) sitting.

He therefore, directed that after each sitting, those who would not board any vehicle to town should remain seated for all vehicles to leave before they walk home. The Chairman ordered the security personnel to vigorously enforce this directive. Sitting continues tomorrow.

GRi…/

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I did not recognise Ya-Na as Dagbon overlord – Witness

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 03 July 2002 - Mr Imoro Alhassan Champon, a teacher at the Yendi Roman Catholic Primary School on Tuesday told the Wuaku Commission that he did not recognise the late Ya-Na as the overlord of the Dagbon traditional area.

"The Bolen Lana, head of the Abudu Gate, is considered as the overlord of the traditional area because after the death of his late father he was enskinned as such". Mr Champon was giving evidence as the 50th witness of the commission (CE50), which is probing into the Yendi conflict of 25-27 March this year.

Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, son of the late Ya-Na, had mentioned the witness as among the group of men from the Abudu Gate who were seen dancing and jubilating at the spot where the late chief was killed and set ablaze.

He is also alleged to have been one of the people who set the Gbewaa Palace and some near-by houses ablaze on 27 March in addition to holding a gun near the palace. Answering questions from Mr. Charles Hayibor, leading counsel for the Andani Gate, Mr. Champon said, "I did not recognise the Ya-Na because I did not have anything to do with him".

He also denied that he was part of the group allegedly seen dancing at the spot where the Ya-Na was killed, adding, "I was nowhere near the Gbewaa Place on 27 March". Mr Champon said he could not have been seen near the Gbewaa Palace heavily armed in the evening of 25 March, since he was in his uncle’s house, Zalanko Lana, an elder of the Bolin Lana.

He stated that because of the intensity of shooting on 26 March, he stayed indoors and later ran to a friend's (Alhaji Chechan) house for safety. Counsel for Commission (G.K. Owoo): Did you see those who were shooting? Champon: Not at all.

Counsel: Did you go to the Bolin Lana's house on 26 March, and why?

Champon: I went there because he is my chief?

Counsel: What then was the late Ya-Na? Was he not the overall chief of the Dagbon traditional area?

Champon: I don't know anything about the fact that the late Ya-Na was chief of the Dagbon traditional area.

Mr. Champon said on 26 March he saw so many people in the Bolin Lana's Palace, where they had gone to seek refuge because of the shooting. He said he spent the night with other people in the Bolen Lana's Palace on 26 March.

Later during cross examination, Mr. Hayibor suggested to Mr. Champon that it was because of his attitude of non-recognition of the late Ya-Na that he conspired with others to assassinate him. To this, witness replied in the negative, maintaining his earlier submission that he never went anywhere near where the Ya-Na was said to have been murdered.

Champon, however, admitted that one of his siblings, also called Champon, was wounded and was sent to the Church of Christ Clinic, "as the whole area leading to the Yendi Hospital was occupied by the Andani fighters."

He said he was not among those who took his brother to the clinic, but later disguised himself as a woman and went to the clinic since it was dangerous for men to be seen outside during the conflict. This prompted Mr. Justice I.N.K. Wuaku, chairman of the commission, to remark, "you therefore, went to the clinic as a woman" drawing laughter from the audience.

Abdul Razak Yusif alias Nyaba, a photographer who was alleged to be holding a camera among the group of people seen jubilating at the spot where the Ya Na was allegedly murdered, also appeared before the commission as the 51st witness.

He stated that although he was aware that there were disturbances between 25-27 March, he never took part. When counsel for the commission told Yusif about the allegation witness Nantogmab Alhassan Andani made against him, he told the commission that the claim was untrue.

"It is not true that I took photographs of the severed head of the Ya-Na", he maintained saying he was indoors the whole of Wednesday, 27 March, and could therefore, not have been seen by Nantogmah at the alleged scene of the Ya-Na's assassination.

After answering series of questions from Nana Obiri Boahen, leading counsel for the Abudus about his alleged involvement in the murder of the late Ya-Na in the negative, Yusif said he did not even know the Bolin Lana nor did he go to his palace on 27 March. He however, said that Nantogmah was his classmate from primary one to primary six.

When he took his turn, Mr Hayibor, counsel for the Andanis put it to the witness that since Nantogmah was his friend and classmate, he (Nantogmah) could not be mistaken if he said that he saw him (Yusif) at the spot where the Ya-Na was killed.

Mr. Hayibor also told Yusif that he was not telling the truth since he was actually identified by Nantogmah holding a camera and cutlass at the spot where the Ya-Na was killed. Witness answered that all what he had told the commission was the truth he knew about the conflict.

Yusif said that although he does not own a studio, photography is his only source of livelihood, adding that though he took pictures during the fire festival last year, he did not take one during this year's festival because of the disturbances.

Commission: Don't photographers make name when they risk their lives to take pictures such as the assassination of the late Ya-Na?

Yusif: It is only those who do not fear death who will take such a risk.

Commission: Do you fear death?

Yusif: Yes.

When Yakubu Mahama, the 52nd witness took his seat, the commission realised that he only bore the same name as the witness who was being sought for by the commission to testify before it.

Yakubu Mahama said he was 34 years and works with a non-governmental organisation, whilst Yakubu Mahama, who was supposed to appear before the commission is 55 years and a farmer. But the police maintained that he was the Yakubu Mahama who gave the statement. He also explained to the commission that he was at the hospital when police took his statement after being hit by a bullet during the conflict.

In an answer to a question by counsel for the commission, Mr Owoo, witness said that he did not know one Yusif Razak, after which it became abundantly clear to the commission that he was not the witness being sought and was consequently discharged.

Lukeman Mohamamed, alias Kukuldoo, the 53rd witness, said he did not take part in the clash between the Andanis and Abudus because he had just returned from Mecca and had confined himself for 40 days, according to Islamic tradition.

Mohammed, a driver and transport owner in Yendi, denied an allegation by Nantogmah Alhassan Andani and some earlier witnesses that he was among those who danced and jubilated over the death of the Ya-Na and the supposed victory of the

Abudus over the Andanis on Wednesday, 27 March.

He replied as untrue when counsel for the commission told him about an allegation that he broke into the safe of the Ya-Na on the Wednesday and looted it. When asked by Mr. Justice Wuaku, Chairman of the commission, the exact date he left Yendi for Mecca and when he returned, witness, who said he spent more than one month in Mecca could, however, not tell.

He, nonetheless, replied that he was in Mecca during the El-dul-fitr celebration, when the commission asked where he was during the celebration. Asked by the Chairman why he was not called Alhaji if he had been to Mecca, witness replied that the Commission only asked him to mention his name but not his title.

To this answer Mr. Justice Wuaku pointed to him that "all Moslems are proud of the title Alhaji, so, if indeed you are an Alhaji, you would have proudly mentioned it". Mohammed responded that: "I am before the Commission not to boast with my title but purposely to give evidence."

In reply to another question by Mr Owoo concerning what he knew about the Yendi tragedy between 26 and 27 March, witness replied that he returned from Mecca three weeks earlier before the tragic incident occurred. He told the Commission that on his return from Mecca, he was visited by well wishers from both the Abudu and Andani Gates.

When the Commission's Counsel asked him to mention some of those visitors from the Andani Gate, witness name one Solomon, whom he said, was his friend, as well as another man known as "SS", whom he said was present at the sitting.

Asked why he did not go out on the Monday, 25 March, by Nana Obiri Boahen, Counsel for the Abudus, Mohammed explained that on that day, none of his neighbours could go out because of the firing of gunshots, whilst visitors were still calling on him.

Witness replied to another question by Nana Boahen that on Tuesday, 26 March, he remained indoors till 4pm when his father Mohammed Abdulai, who is related to the Bolin-Lana, sent word to him that since he stayed in the midst of the Andanis, he should pack and leave his house because of the shooting exchanges.

Witness, who replied in the negative to most of the questions posed to him by Counsel for the Abudus, told the Commission that he only heard of the Ya-Na's death in the evening of Wednesday, 27 March, since he did not come out that day.

When Mr Hayibor wanted to know if those well-wishers told him about the rationale behind the firing of guns whilst in confinement on his return from Mecca, witness replied in the affirmative.

As to what exactly he was told, witness said, "my friends among the Abudus told me of the attacks on them by the Andanis during the El-Dul-Adha festival because the Andanis claimed that we, the Abudus, had also observed it."

He replied in the negative when Mr Hayibor suggested that, that was why the Abudus also attacked the Andanis. In answer to a question if he had a gun, witness replied in the negative.

The Leading Counsel of the Andanis, however, suggested to witness that he was lying to the Commission, saying, "as a driver, you are quite prosperous and that on the Wednesday, 27 March, you were seen by Nantogmah wielding a sophisticated weapon."

Witness retorted to Counsel's suggestion that, "no one can force me to say that I have a gun and that Nantogmah saw me holding it. "If Nantogmah saw anybody with a gun that was not me."

At this point Mr Hayibor enquired about the inscription on his vehicle but witness became evasive and cheeky in his responses. Mohammed told Mr Hayibor through the interpreter that he (lawyer) had no right to ask him of his property.

Counsel, therefore, told witness that he was not being cheeky to him (lawyer) but rather to the Commission. Mr. Justice Wuaku then intervened and ordered witness to give a direct reply to the question about the inscription on his vehicle(s), to which Mohammed replied, "Quality Is Better Than Quantity".

Witness replied in the affirmative when Mr Hayibor asked if that inscription was on all his vehicles. Mohammed agreed to a suggestion by Counsel that he was virtually identified by the inscription.

When the Andanis' Leading Counsel further told witness that, "Nantogmah then saw you", he replied; "I don't dispute that fact because even small children know me." In answer to a question by the Commission, witness said he was surprised to hear that the Gbewaa palace had been burnt.

When the Commission asked why he was surprised, Mohammed explained that; "I know there are some powers there and nobody can burn the palace." As to what those powers were, witness evasively replied that there were a lot of people in the Gbewaa palace, hence, he felt it was impossible for it to be set ablaze.

At this point, Professor Kwesi Yankah, member of the Commission expressed his dissatisfaction with this explanation and his doubts about the veracity of his evidence, saying that since he had returned from Mecca, he was expected to be truthful in the name of Allah.

The 54th witness, Zakari Yakubu, alias "Forestry", a retired employee of former Department of Forestry but now a farmer, told the Commission that he remained indoors on Monday, 25 March, because of gunshots at the vicinity of the Gbewaa palace.

He told the Commission that he is 54 years, which contrasted with the 65 in his statement to the police. When the Commission asked of his reaction during the sporadic shooting between the Andani and Abudu Gates, witness replied: "I have no gun, so I did not do anything."

Mr Justice Wuaku then asked him that if he did not encourage the Abudu youth to take part in the hostilities, to which witness replied in the negative. He again replied in the negative when the Commission asked him if he knew Nantogmah Alhassan Andani. He said he only saw him at the Commission's sitting "when I came here because of his allegation against me."

Commission: "was what you heard Nantogmah say about you correct or incorrect?"

Witness: "it is wrong."

Commission: "Nantogmah said you were holding a cutlass and jubilating on Wednesday, 27 March?"

Witness: "that is not true."

Yakubu, nevertheless explained that "as a farmer, I am entitled to have a cutlass but I did not use it in fighting." Witness agreed to a suggestion by Mr. Hayibor that he is well-known in Yendi because of his long service with the former Forestry Department.

He, however, replied in the negative when Leading Counsel for the Andanis insisted that Nantogmah and his friends identified him as an accomplice in the attack on the Andanis by the Abudus.

Yakubu, in answer to a question by Mr Hayibor if he accepted the Ya-Na as the overlord of the Dagbon State, said, "If all Dagombas accepted him as the Ya-Na, then, I also recognised him as such, but I was not following him."

The Chairman of the Commission, following an observation and a report by security personnel, appealed to members of the two gates, before proceedings were brought to a close, not to bring walking sticks that had deadly weapons concealed in them to the auditorium. If you have walking sticks of the sort, keep them at your places of abode and use them there, he warned.

Military personnel on duty at the Commission had observed that some people were using the walking sticks, which had sharp pointed swords concealed in their leather cover, posing a threat to general security at the place. Sitting continues on Wednesday.

GRi../

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Wuaku Commission’s mandate extended

Accra (Greater Accra) 28 July 2002- Government on Thursday extended the mandate of the Justice Wuaku Commission investigating the Yendi conflict in submitting its report.

A statement signed by Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affirs said, "in response to a request by the Chairman and members of the Wuaku Commission, the President, John Agyekum Kufuor, has extended the mandate of the Commission and the submission of its report".

It said the Commission has now been tasked to complete its work and present its report by the end of August 2002. The statement said the Commission, under the chairmanship of Justice I.N.K. Wuaku, a retired Supreme Court Judge, was sworn in on 6 May 2002 by the President and was tasked to investigate the circumstances, which led to the conflict in Yendi within the Northern Region during March this year.

The Commission started public sittings on 4 June after a fact- finding mission to Yendi on 30 May 2002.

GRi…/

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Near clash between Abudus & Andanis at Wuaku Commission

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 28 June 2002 - The Wuaku Commission of inquiry on Thursday had a hectic time as a result of a near clash between the Abudus and Andanis before and after its sitting.

But for the timely intervention of security personnel, members of the two gates would have gone beyond the verbal exchanges and staged "re-enactment of what happened in Yendi in March this year.

Before the commencement of the sitting, one of the Abudus greeted an Andani lady, who was only identified as Mariama, and this was what sparked-off the quarrel. Mariama refused to be greeted and blurted out "if you have killed my father why are you coming to greet me?"

That drew the entire members of the two gates at the auditorium into a war of verbal exchanges and the security personnel had a hectic time before sanity prevailed for the commencement of the sitting. Mr Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, chairman of the Commission advised members of the two gates to "learn to live together peacefully as one people in Sunyani so as to be able to live as such back home".

He asked counsels for the two gates to advise their clients to behave well towards each other to make the work of the Commission easier. After the sitting, members of the Andani gate expressed indignation as to why the Abudus were escorted outside the auditorium before them. They began murmuring and the youth among them started forcing their way out but the security personnel prevented them from doing so.

Some of the Andani youth were heard questioning, "are they superior to us? whilst an elder among them retorted "this is neo-colonialism". One of the security personnel later explained that they only escorted the Abudus out first to prevent the re-occurrence of what happened at the beginning of the sitting. "We could have even escorted the Andanis first and this should not be misunderstood as giving preferential treatment to the Abudus".

The Commission members, who had then retired to their chamber, had to rush back to the auditorium to address the two gates again. Mr. Justice Wuaku warned that the Commission had the powers of a high court and had every right to charge anybody for contempt. He said the consequences of a contempt charge would be unpleasant, since anybody charged with that "would be made to change his place of abode".

Mr. Justice Wuaku charged members of the two gates to behave well and tolerate each other, saying, "if anybody misbehaves, the commission will limit the number of people who attend sittings to only those who are summoned as witnesses by the Commission at a given time. "You are all from Yendi and you must begin to learn to live together" he exhorted.

Three witnesses appeared before the Commission to give evidence. They are Alfred Alolga, the 46th witness and a transmission technician at the Ghana Telecom (GT), Tamale. The other two were Mariama Alhassan, (A.K.A., Control), 47th witness a food seller in Yendi and the 48th witness Iddrissu Ziblim Sagyildo, a farmer and barber in Yendi.

Four other witnesses who had earlier given evidence and had accused certain people of complicity during the conflict also appeared to be confronted by those they had accused. When Mariama was asked what she knew about the Yendi conflict she replied bluntly: "we were killed by the Abudus".

She said she saw Iddrissu Gyamfo (another witness) holding a gun and setting the Gbewaa place ablaze. Mariama, who said she lived in the palace and is the wife of a brother of the late chief, added that she confronted Gyamfo when she saw him in the act. At this point the commission asked Gyamfo if he had any questions for her. Gyamfo (cw 41): can you swear by the dead body of your mother that you saw me burning the palace?

Mariama: I swear. Gyamfo repeated his denial yesterday that as an Andani he could never have done such a thing to his own people.

But before Mariama could be released drama ensued between her and Gyamfo when the latter accused her of telling lies about him. Mariama wept bitterly and accused Gyamfo of betraying his own people. Both witnesses were seen exchanging words in Dagbani as they left the witness box on release.

During the turn of Iddrissu Ziblim Sakyildo, who was earlier on accused by Alhassan Nantogmah Andani, he said that he did not know his accuser. When Nantogmah was brought for Sakyildo to identify him. He said: "This is the first time that I am seeing him." He said he lived about two miles away from Yendi and only sought refuge in the Bolen-Lana's palace during the incident.

Witness added that he spent four days in the Bolen-Lana's house, because he was very sick. Asked why he did not go to the hospital, he replied that he could not do so because "our enemies had occupied the road, which leads to the hospital". The whole of Yendi was at the Bolen-Lana's palace, witness said and mentioned one Idana as among those he saw at the place.

During cross-examination, leading counsel for the Andani's, Mr Charles Hayibor, pointed out to witness that Alhassan Nantogmah Andani had told the Commission that he saw him on 27 March at the place where the Ya-Na was killed, holding whiskers and dancing to music.

Sakyildo replied that he could not have been at the spot where the chief was killed since he was not well. "If I were not sick I would have joined my people to fight". Sakyildo told the Commission that he did not see any object like a human head whilst in the Bolen Lana's house, neither did he hear of the Ya-Na's death, since he was concentrating on his ill health.

Commission: "How did you get to know about the death of the Ya-Na?"

Sakyildo: "I only heard about it on radio on Thursday, 28 March."

Commission: "How did you react to the news?"

Sakyildo: "I was not happy."

The Commission gave two witnesses, an accuser and an accused, the opportunity to confront each other. Constable Samuel Nyarkortey Adjatey, the 10th witness, who in his evidence on Thursday 6 June, alleged that he dispossessed Mohammed Achana Abdal-Salam (Aka Red) of a G-3 assault rifle on Wednesday, 27 March as he (Abdul-Salam) ran to the Yendi Police station to seek refuge. Abdul-Salam, the 23rd witness, however, in his evidence on Thursday, 13 June denied that he was holding a weapon of the sort.

When Constable Adjatey took the witness seat and was reminded of the oath he had sworn to speak the truth, the Commission asked him to go and identify Abdul-Salam among the Andanis in the auditorium. Witness took a good look among the Andanis and readily pointed his finger at him (Abdul-Salam) but the Commission told him (Adjatey) to rather go and touch him (Abdul-Salam). This drew spontaneous laughter from the audience. Abdul-Salam at this point was called by the Commission to take a seat beside the witness seat.

An investigator exhibited the G-3 rifle and upon examination Adjatey identified it as the one he collected from Abdul-Salam at the Police station. When the Commission asked Abdul-Salam to either admit or deny the allegation made by Adjatey, he denied ever seeing Adjatey. "This Policeman in particular, I have never seen him in my life and I don't know him," he said.

This made him to reiterate what he had earlier told the Commission that he ran from the Gbewaa Palace to the Police station on that Wednesday, but, the Policemen on duty initially repelled him. "That time my assailants were pursuing to kill me and it was Inspector Ben, my brother, who came out of the office, after hearing a gunshot by my pursuers, to intervene for my acceptance at the Police station".

Abdul-Salam continued that it could not have been possible for him to carry "such a big weapon" since he had raised his hand in surrender and asked: "How could I have carried it?" At this juncture, the audience burst into a spontaneous laughter when Justice Wuaku, Chairman of the Commission retorted: "G-3 rifle is not heavy as you want the Commission to believe, because I can carry it ".

In an answer to a question by the Commission if as one of the Ya-Na's warriors, whenever there was a festival he was invited to defend him (Ya-Na), and that as he indicated in his statement to the Police, he went to Yendi purposely to defend the Ya-Na during the conflict, Abdul-Salam denied but visibly fumbled in his reply.

When asked if any G-3 bullet was found on him at the Police station, he answered in the affirmative. Witness, however, explained that he took it to the Police to show the kind of weapons the Abudus were using in their assault on them (Andanis).

Nana Obiri-Boahene, counsel for the Abudus, in a cross-examination wanted to know if Abudul-Salam had ever been to Pakistan to which witness answered that he went there for educational purpose but returned pre-maturely because he could not cope with the Islamic education.

To a question by Counsel if he learnt how to shoot whilst in Pakistan, Abdul-Salam replied: "That was not the aim of my going there, but there is nothing wrong with learning how to shoot." As a patriotic Ghanaian, I should not expect only the army to defend the country when there is a war, he added.

When Nana Obiri-Boahen pointed out to him that he went to Yendi ostensibly to fight on behalf of Ya-Na, "Red" replied: "I am the fourth chief warrior of the Kumbungu-Na and have been enskinned as such." "The Kumbungu-Na, as the Ya-Na's chief warriors owes allegiance to the Ya-Na, so, I see no reason why I should not defend him when he is in trouble."

Witness in answer to another question denied that all the passengers in a Benz Bus he boarded to Yendi on the morning of Tuesday, March 26, were recruited to go and fight for the Ya-Na. Abdul-Salam, however, admitted that one Mohammed Zaachi, who died during the conflict, was also on the bus.

When asked by Counsel whether he knew a Tamale-based lawyer, Mr Ibrahim Mahama, witness replied: "Lawyer Mahama is our brother and father and every day we go to see if he is well." "That Tuesday I even went to him for money for transport to Yendi," he said.

At this juncture Justice Wuaku, Chairman of the Commission wondered why those who fought for the Ya-Na came to the Commission to deny that they did that, adding: "At least it is a noble thing to defend your chief." Abdul-Salam replied to another question that they were defending the Ya-Na from the palace because nobody could step out due to the intensity of the firing by the Abudus on the morning of Wednesday 27 March.

As to when he managed to reach the Police station, witness told the Commission that though he did not know the time precisely, it was mid-morning, "because I did not even have a watch on me and was also terribly wounded". Commission: "Is it not correct that it was when you realised that the odds were against you that you ran away to the Police station?

Abdul-Salam: "Yes, that is correct."

Commission: "When you were leaving where was the Ya-Na?"

Abdul-Salam: "I did not know what happened to him when I left the palace with my hands up."

Abdul-Salam at this point could not say anything when Commission told him that on the Tuesday, March 26, the Benz bus was arrested for carrying ammunition to Yendi. When Abdul-Salam was discharged, a counsel for the Abudus, Mr E. O. Appiah sought permission from the Commission to compel him (witness) to demonstrate to the Commission how he ran to the Police station with his hands raised up. It was all laughter at the auditorium when Abdul-Salam readily did that.

Mr Alfred Alolga, the 46th witness, a transmission technician with the

Ghana Telecom in Tamale corroborated the evidence by his colleagues that the breakdown in trunk calls in Yendi between 25 March and 27 March was not deliberate. He said when a team of technicians was dispatched from Tamale to Yendi on Tuesday, 26 March, although they did their best, they could not restore the links and had to pass the night there (Yendi).

Alolga said that it was about 2200 hours on Wednesday 27 March that they were able to salvage the situation (after several attempts had failed). At this juncture, after answering a number of questions, the Commission told witness that Alhassan Zakari, a watchman at Sam, a GT repeater station, near Yendi, said he saw him (witness) and three others there on Monday, 25 March.

The Commission said Zakari alleged that it was when he (Alolga) and his team had left that the links broke down. Alolga said it was not possible to disrupt links in Yendi from Sam "because it is a repeater station". He, however, said that the problem in Yendi was a normal one but since they could not identify it early enough it became a big one.

Commission: "How long have you worked with the Ghana Telecom?"

Alolga: "Since 1990."

Commission: "Is it not ideal to take along all anticipated materials to be used during a routine maintenance check?"

Alolga: "That is right but we did not anticipate such a situation."

The Commission at this point conditionally released the witness and told him that he would be re-called when Zakari appears before it to answer some allegations.

Sitting continues on Friday.

GRi…/

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Wuaku Commission continues work

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 27 June 2002- Mr Francis Laryea Okang, Yendi Area Manager of Ghana Telecom (GT) on Wednesday told the Wuaku Commission that the cut-off of telephone links from Yendi to the outside world from 25 Monday to Wednesday 27 March during the Yendi conflict was a "a sheer co-incidence".

He attributed the fault to "power fluctuation", which caused the blow up of the fuses within the circuits, thus making it impossible to make or receive external calls during the period.

Mr. Okang, who was testifying before the commission in Sunyani as the 42nd witness, ruled out sabotage either within the company or from elsewhere to make the work of GT difficult during the crisis. His assertion was however, debunked by counsel for the Volta River Authority, Mr. Raymond John Lartey, who stated that the fault "might be an internal cause within the GT system and not from the VRA".

Mr. Okang said that he was on duty in Salaga on Monday, 25 March, when he was informed, after calling Tamale that calls from outside to Yendi were not going through. On Tuesday, 26 March, he said he arranged with a technician from Tamale to rush to Yendi to save the situation and when he verified at noon, he was told that the technician had left for Yendi.

Mr Okang recounted that he realised that there was a major problem when he called from Tamale at about 5.00 p.m. and was informed that nothing had been heard from the maintenance team that went to Yendi. He added that he, therefore, left for Salaga at 7.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 March, and when he reached the Yendi barrier at 9.00 a.m. he saw a lot of people fleeing from the town.

I noticed that there were no cars on the road, nobody at the Yendi market whilst there were no activities going on in the town, he said. Mr Okang continued that those in his car told him they saw at the other side of the road towards the police station four men dragging somebody.

He said they became very frightened and had to speed-off to Tamale instead of remaining in Yendi to check whether the telephone problem had been rectified.

Mr Okang said after seeking security assistance from the Regional Co-ordinating Council, he mobilised another maintenance team at 5.00 p.m. and they reached Yendi at 8.00 p.m. during the curfew period.

He added that after a check, the team detected that one of the fuses in the unit supplying power to the radio had gone off. Mr. Okang said in a reply to a question from counsel for the commission, Mr G.K. Owoo, that it does not take a long period to repair a blown fuse but when this was done other problems were detected.

During cross- examination, counsel for the Andanis, Mr Charles Hayibor alleged that a watchman at the Ghana Telecom Repeater Station in Sam rpt Sam had confirmed that when GT officers came to the station during the period, the lines went off. Counsel added that according to the watchman when GT officials came back to the station on Wednesday after the crisis, the lines started working.

Mr Okang replied that the watchman did not know anything about the system and the whole allegation was "a very big lie". After being bombarded with a lot of questions and fumbling in answering some of them, the commission discharged him on a note that he was not credible.

Another official from the Telecom, Mr Justice Kwame Segbefia, said he was part of the team that was detailed to repair the breakdown of communication in Yendi on Tuesday, 26 March. He confirmed that the fault was due to a fault within the power supply system since he realised after checking that the electricity voltage was faulty.

Asked by the Commission if the fault could have been created by someone who was not a staff of the company Segbefia answered that he could not tell, because he was not from the transmission.

To a question by the Commission as to whether it was possible that the fault could have been created by someone from outside Segbefia said it was not possible since the place was a restricted area. Segbefia, the 44th witness and a mechanic with the company in Tamale, was thereafter cross- examined by counsel for the Volta River Authority, Mr Lartey.

Witness told the commission that the VRA is the source of power supply to the Ghana Telecom and if there was fault as a result of fluctuations, then nobody else could be blamed but VRA. Mr Segbefia accused the VRA of sometimes taking power from the transformer allocated to the Telecom to supply power to some private residences and that, he said could cause power fluctuations.

Alhassan Naziru, a security assistant of GT in Yendi told the commission in an answer to a question that on the morning of Monday, 25 March, both their standby electric power generator and electricity supply from the VRA were working simultaneously. He said that was not unusual since in the event of low-voltage power supply by the VRA system, the generator worked to supplement the system's power requirement.

Naziru, the 45th witness, said the situation had been like that till 6.45 p.m. on the Monday when some customers who were using a public pay-phone booth drew his attention to the line cut-off.

Witness said he realised after verification that whilst the Yendi local circuit was working, the circuit for the Tamale and the outside world was not. He said on Tuesday morning, he sent a young-boy, one Tajudeen, a nephew of the Yendi post-master to go and inform the GT office in Tamale about the problem.

I, however, did not hear from him until 4.00 p.m. when the maintenance team arrived from Tamale but they could not restore the line that day and had to spend the night in Yendi. He told the commission that it was until Wednesday evening that the team was able to restore the Yendi lines to the outside world.

Mr. Peter Duku, a staff engineer of the VRA in Yendi, who testified as the 43rd witness, said he was not aware that telephone calls from Yendi to other places did not go through during the crisis period. He told the commission that there was no power fluctuation on 25 and 26 March as had been alleged by staff of the Ghana Telecom.

There was, however, power fluctuation on Wednesday, 27 March, when it was reported that some poles at the Gbewaa Palace had got burnt, exposing live wires on the ground, he said. The engineer added that a mechanic with the Authority therefore, requested for a power fluctuation to enable him to go and repair the lines.

Asked by the Commission when the poles got burnt Duku said he could not tell. Witness told the commission that no report about the alleged power fluctuation has been received from Ghana Telecom after the crisis.

In an answer to a number of questions pertaining to the supply of power to the Ghana Telecom in Yendi, Mr Duku said he was not qualified to give any answer since that was the duty of the Northern Electricity Department (NED) of the VRA. Earlier, Iddrisu Gyamfo, a farmer and former tender of Ya-Na's cattle was called to testify as the 41st witness to answer some allegations levelled against him by Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, the 21st witness.

Andani had told the commission that Gyamfo was one of the men who set the Gbewaa palace ablaze on Wednesday, 27 March. Gyamfo, however, denied during his testimony tat he took part in the burning of the palace, saying he was nowhere near the palace at that time. He stated that he went to the Ya-Na's palace in the company of his father and one Damanko, an elder, to greet the chief on the morning of Monday, 25 March

Witness said the late Ya-Na gave them 10,000 cedis to buy drinks when they were leaving and as they enjoyed the drinks at Damanko's house, near the palace, he heard gunshots in the area. I was hit by a bullet on one of my fingers when I came out to verify what was happening, the farmer added.

Gyamfo said when he realised that the situation was tense he took his sick father, wife and three children to a safe place and did not return until Wednesday evening. Unable to give clear answers to most questions from the commission, it (the commission) asked Nantogmah to cross- examine him.

During cross-examination Gyamfo said it was not that he held a gun on Tuesday, 26 March, in the company of others. Gyamfo said because he was Ya-Na's cattle tender he used to go to the chief's palace with his father on several occasions.

When counsel for the commission, Mr. George Owoo, asked if he knew of any reason why Nantogmah had levelled the allegation against him, Gyamfo replied in the negative. Mr Owoo, therefore, told him that, "the only reason is that what Nantogmah is saying is true". To a question by Nana Obiri Boahen, counsel for the Abudus, as to which of the gates he belonged to, Gyamfo replied that he is an Andani.

Witness said he even wanted to take his gun to go and protect the Ya-Na during the crisis "because I am one of his junior warriors". The commission at this juncture told witness that despite being a member of the Andani Gate, he had had a problem with the Ya-Na for sometime now.

Gyamfo: I was the Ya-Na's cattle tender and could not have had problems with him.

Commission: Why did the Ya-Na sack you as his cattle tender?

Gyamfo: It was due to the loss of two of the cattle.

Commission: Couldn't the dismissal be a good reason for you to join the opposing group?

Gyamfo: No, I couldn't have joined the opposing faction and burnt the Ya-Na's palace since he was my breadwinner.

When the commission discharged him, Gyamfo asked through the interpreter, "since the Ya-Na was feeding me, how could I have burnt his house?" The chairman of the commission, Justice Wuaku, retorted that "nature is wonderful, hence a son can rise up against his parent at anytime".

Gyamfo insisted that it was impossible for him to do anything against the Ya-Na, to which Justice Wuaku replied that, "I cannot believe you, for even the devil does not know anybody's mind". Sitting continues tomorrow.

GRi…/

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AK 47 rifle found in Ya-Na's car

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 26 June Chief Superintendent David Asante-Apeatu, a ballistic analyst with the Police Criminal Investigations Department, yesterday told the Wuaku Commission that an AK 47 rifle and ammunition were recovered from the late Ya-Na's Blue Bird saloon car.

He said the ammunition for 30 G 3 rifles and that for 22 AK 47 rifles were found hidden at the front passenger's seat, whilst the AK 47 weapon was discovered in the boot of the car, with registration number NR 1A.

Chief Superintendent Asante-Apeatu was testifying before the Wuaku Commission of inquiry into the Yendi conflict in Sunyani as the 39th witness. He said the rifle and ammunition were recovered by W/O II Latcher D. Johnson of the Air Force Station in Tamale.

The ammunition and rifle, among others, were tendered in evidence by the witness. Chief Supt. Asante-Apeatu said he was part of two delegations that were detailed to Tamale after the crisis. He said the first delegation was a "peace mission" of a government delegation led by Senior Minister, Mr J.H. Mensah, on March 29, 2002.

Chief Supt. Asante-Apeatu said the second mission, comprising a team of police experts, was detailed on April 6, to collect pieces of evidence about the conflict. He said it was at the Yendi Government Hospital where the police were busily engaged on the identification of dead bodies, after the conflict, when the driver of the late Ya-Na brought the vehicle.

Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu recounted that the Ya-Na's driver approached the Yendi District Police Commander to be escorted to refuel the car so that he could join a convoy to Tamale for safety. He said clearance was then sought from the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command who ordered that the vehicle should be driven to the police station for safety.

Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu, however, said the police station was found to be unsuitable, "because the car would be parked in open space", so it was finally driven to the barracks of the military detachment in Yendi. He added that it was at the barracks that the AK 47 rifle and the ammunition were discovered by W/O II Johnson as he conducted a check on the car, he added.

Other exhibits tendered by Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu included three component parts of an AK 47 rifle, a magazine of a mark 4 rifle, a quantity of plastic wads and detonated cartridges including shot-gun cartridges. He said all the exhibits were collected at an armoury at the Gbewaa Palace where many were not used but had detonated due to excessive heat.

Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu stated that the three component parts of the AK 47 assault rifle and some of the detonated ammunition were recovered during a mission by the military to rescue the last two persons in the Ya-Na's Palace.

The exhibits were those that were recovered by the military and the police during and after the crisis, he explained. Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu said three assault rifles were also recovered from one Mohammed Abdul Salam, alias 'red', whilst a fleeing warrior from the Ya-Na's palace threw away an AK 47 rifle at the Yendi Police Station.

He stated that fragmented bullets collected around the walls of the Gbewaa Palace also indicated that the assailants were armed with sophisticated assault rifles. The ballistic expert added that although a cap-gun ammunition was collected at the Gbewaa Palace, no cap-gun was found, but three locally-made daggers were recovered and tendered in evidence. During cross-examination, he told the commission, "I cannot tell how the AK 47 rifles got to the palace but what I know is that they were recovered by the military during a rescue mission".

Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu added that, "both the AK 47 and G3 assault rifles are imported by the government for the security services and since they have serial numbers, their sources can be traced if good records are kept by their users". He said in reply to a question from Mr Charles Hayibor, leading counsel for the Andanis that cap-guns which are normally used during musketry, and shot guns, are manufactured locally.

The police officer responded to another question from counsel that the armoury of the Ya-Na was also found burnt when the police investigating team visited the burnt Gbewaa Palace and photographs were taken for verification.

Chief Supt Asante-Apeatu said he could not tell whether any attempt was made to apprehend the fleeing warrior from the Ya-Na's palace who threw the AK 47 away at the Yendi Police Station, "because I was not at the spot at that time".

He told the commission that the police team also visited the Yendi offices of the Ghana Telecom and the Volta River Authority (VRA) to take statements. Chief Supt. Asante-Apeatu's testimony was interrupted to allow Colonel Jaswant Mante Wadhwani, a pathologist from the 37 Military Hospital, who conducted autopsy on victims of the conflict, including the late Ya-Na, to give evidence, after which he was allowed to continue.

When the commission asked why the investigators dwelt mostly on the Gbewaa palace, witness answered that it was because the Gbewaa palace was their immediate crime scene. He, however, added that the investigators went beyond the palace and covered about 100 metre radius around the palace

GRi…/

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Accused in Ya Na’s death implicates another person

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 22 June 2002- Idana Sugri, a 35-year old farmer, who has been mentioned as one of the prime perpetrators of the assassination of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon Traditional Area, on Friday told the Wuaku Commission that he saw one Alhassan Gyamfo holding "a battered human head" at the Bolen Lana's house on 27 March.

"I saw Iddrissu Gyamfo using an iron bar to pick the battered head with blood oozing from all over it and since I was afraid, I had to leave the scene". Idana, who was mentioned during previous sittings as tying the severed arm of the Ya-Na with a rope and hanged it on his neck during the crisis, was giving evidence as the 38th witness of the Wuaku Commission's sitting in Sunyani.

He has been in custody for two months since he was arrested in Tamale after the hostilities between the Abudu and Andani Gates in Yendi between 25 March and

27 March. Before the commencement of the sitting.

Idana, whose name was not included in the day's list of witnesses, was suddenly brought to the witness seat through the Commission's chamber under heavy Police guard after the second witness for the day, Abdulai Issahaku had been discharged.

He, however, vehemently denied an earlier allegation made against him by the Andanis that he was seen at midday of Wednesday 27 March, with the severed hand of the Ya-Na hanging around his neck.

"I was at home attending to my sick father and could, therefore, not have been seen as being alleged by some Andanis. All those making the allegation are doing so because of hatred", he said. When asked by the Commission whether the human head he saw could be that of the Ya-Na, witness replied that he could not recognise it because of the way it had been battered.

Idana continued that whilst at home near the Ya-Na's palace on Tuesday, 26 March he heard gunshots from both the direction of the Ya-Na's palace and the Bolen Lana's house. He said he never saw those, who were firing because he did not come out of his house.

Idana stated that on Wednesday 27 March, the firing of guns intensified and when he looked outside from his house he saw many people including Miniru, Alhassan, Sule Baba and Billa, all from the Abudu Gate.

He recounted that when hostilities ceased and life became normal, he saw many people running towards the Bolen Lana's house and being curious to know what was happening he followed the crowd. The Chairman of the Commission realising some inconsistencies in Idana's evidence and the statements he gave to the Police, intervened and reminded him of the oath he had sworn to tell the truth.

Witness responded that since he had sworn with the Quran, he could not lie before the Commission. Mr Justice Wuaku then pointed out to him through the interpreter that the Quran could not prevent him from telling lies.

After admitting that he saw Iddrissu Gyamfo holding a human head, the Commission wanted to know what he was holding at the Bolen Lana's house. Idana insisted that he was not holding anything and could not stand the sight of the scene, "that is why I left the scene".

In a reply to a question by the Commission, witness said he saw Zalan Gu-Lana an elder at the Bolen Lana's house but did not see the one Gyamfo gave the human head to. Counsel for the Commission, Mr George Owoo, pointed out to Idana that he had given three different stories since the incident happened and asked which one should be taken as the truth.

Witness replied that the Commission should consider all his statements to the Police and evidence before the Commission as one account. "I am in a trap and cannot tell lies, I stand by all statements I have made and even if I am to be executed, I will continue to tell the truth".

Before his cross examination, Nana Obiri Boahen, counsel for the Abudus pleaded with the Commission to grant bail to the witness since the Commission's work was a fact finding one.

He explained that the continuous detention of Idana was a curtailment of his liberty and called on the Commission to consider within its powers if it would be possible to release the witness. Justice Wuaku replied that counsel's request would be given the needed consideration.

In a reply to a question from counsel for the Abudus, Idana said that he did not know where the Ya-Na was killed and neither did he know one Mustapha, the photographer, who was alleged to have poured liquid on the body of the Ya-Na before it was set ablaze.

He also denied hearing drums being beaten to signify the fall of a hero and a war victim, amidst women signing and dancing. Idana said he did not go to the Gbewaa Palace and did not use any gun as was being alleged, adding that he only heard the firing of guns around the palace.

After answering a barrage of questions from leading counsel for the Andanis, Mr Charles Hayibor, the Commission ordered that witness should be taken back into custody. Idana repeated the plea of Nana Obiri Boahen through the interpreter that he should be granted bail but Justice Wuaku said that would be considered later.

Malik Alhassan Mahama, alias Freeman, an attendant at the Yendi Government Hospital then took the witness seat. He recounted that when he went to work on Monday 25 March, he saw some people standing in groups. "When I went to the Out-Patients Department, I saw some wounded people lying around some of whom were treated and discharged whilst others were admitted."

He said on Tuesday, 26 March, there was sporadic firing around the Gbewaa Palace and the Bolen Lana's house, which intensified on the morning of Wednesday, 27 March. Mahama mentioned Iddrissu Mutawakil, Imrana Shaibu and Andani Yakubu as among the injured at the hospital that he recognised.

He stated in reply to a question by counsel for the Andanis, Mr Hayibor, that the Ya-Na's Kula Lana was at the hospital from Monday till Wednesday afternoon when he disappeared.

Mr Hayibor also quizzed the witness to identify those, who saw him at his workplace during the period of the crisis since it had been alleged that he was part of an armed group that was seen in the house of the Presiding Member of the Yendi District Assembly. Mahama denied the allegation and said he was not one of the people, who were seen going out of the Ya-Na's palace during the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 March.

Mahama, who testified as the Commission's 36th witness, said on Wednesday, 27 March he saw dead bodies being brought to the hospital in a truck and were removed from the truck by the military and Red Cross personnel.

Witness told the Commission that it was absolutely not true that he was seen riding a motorcycle in town on 27 March. He said he was at the hospital throughout 27 March during, which he cleaned part of the premises and sterilised some instruments, which were used during surgical operations.

Mahama explained that he signed an attendance book, which could be a testimony of his presence at the hospital in contrast to the allegation that he was seen in town riding a motorcycle. He said he never heard the death of the Ya-Na on 27 March but when his attention was drawn to the fact that he wrote in his statement to the Police that he heard about the chief's death, he denied ever giving such a statement.

Issahaku, another witness, who identified himself as a member of the Abudu Gate and a labourer at the Yendi District Assembly, attached to the assembly's butcher's shop as a cleaner, told the Commission that on Monday, 25 March, when hostilities began between the Abudu and Andani Gates, he was shot in the leg by one of two gun-wielding unidentified young men at the precincts of the Ya-Na's palace.

He explained that, after leaving the butcher's house at about 8.30am, he saw a lot of people running helter-shelter in the streets and when he enquired about what was happening, someone informed him that his late uncle Abdulai's house had been set ablaze.

Witness said it was on his way to see the burning house that he met the two young men one of whom shot him. When asked to name the two young men by Counsel for the Abudus, Issahaku could not but described one of them as fair in complexion.

Witness told the Commission that he reported the shooting incident to the Bolen-Lana and later went to the Yendi Government Hospital for treatment. Witness indicated that he was denied treatment at the hospital because he could not afford the payment of 50,000 cedis. He said he, therefore, resorted to herbal treatment for the gunshot wound and the removal of the pellets, which he tendered in evidence.

GRi…/

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Partly burnt AK 47 riffles found at Ya Na’s palace

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 21 June 2002- A soldier on Thursday identified four partly burnt AK 47 rifles retrieved from the Ya-Na's palace during the Yendi conflict at the sitting of the Wuaku Commission in Sunyani on Thursday.

Police investigators exhibited the riffles at the sitting. Sergeant George Cobbina, an armoured car driver from Recce of the Third Battalion in the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani testified as the 35th witness of the Commission.

He explained to the Commission that the rifles were retrieved when a team of soldiers was dispatched to rescue the Ya-Na from the Gbewaa Palace on the morning of Wednesday, 27 March.

Sergeant Cobbina recounted that on Sunday, 24 March, the Commander of the Yendi Military detachment dispatched two soldiers and an information officer to announce the imposition of a curfew from 6 pm that day. When five soldiers were sent at 5:45 pm to join some Policemen to enforce the curfew order, the Yendi Divisional Police Commander told them that the curfew had been lifted and they, therefore, returned to the barracks, he said.

Sergeant Cobbina said on the morning of Tuesday 26 March, the battery of the Mowag failed to work after routine check had been done and a report was made to the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Billa. He said after the battery had been sent for re-charging, the military sought for a spare one from the Yendi District Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Habibu Tijani, to bring the vehicle back on the road.

Sergeant Cobbina said gunshots were heard in town at about 8pm that day but when military men were sent to monitor the situation, nobody was found with a riffle. He said at dawn on Wednesday he went to the electrician to collect the armoured car battery but he realised that the electrician had travelled so the DCE's assistance was sought to break the workshop for the battery to be retrieved, the Soldier said.

Sergeant Cobbina said when he came back to the barracks he was instructed by the Commander with four others and an elder of the Ya-Na to go and bring the Chief from the palace. He told the Commission that because the combatants were firing "we had to shut all the windows of the Mowag before we reached the palace".

Asked by the counsel of the Commission, Mr George Owoo if the palace was on fire when they got there, Sergeant Cobbina replied in the negative. He, however, said that when his colleagues and the elder of Ya-Na, who accompanied them to the palace, returned they informed him Cobbina that they were told that the Ya-Na had gone out of the palace.

Later in a cross examination, Sergeant Cobbina stated that although the gunner on the Mowag wanted to fire a warning shot the gun did not work. He said a close examination on the gun showed that the firing pin was bent. Sergeant Cobbina said that after the search for the chief at the palace did not yield any result they returned but the Commander asked them to go back to the palace to conduct another search for the chief.

He said this time they were accompanied by the Yendi DCE on the orders of the Commanding Officer. Sergeant Cobbina told the Commission that it was on the second visit that they saw the palace on fire and when a search was conducted, they could not find the chief but they were able to retrieve the four AK 47 rifles.

In an answer to a question by leading counsel for the Andanis, Mr Charles Hayibor, Sergeant Cobbina said although he did not get out of the car "since in such situation, drivers are expected to be in their seat", he saw two dead bodies in front of a house near the palace.

Asked to describe the bodies that he saw, he said they were all wearing smocks with one wearing black trousers and the other in green trousers. At this point when Mr Hayibor wanted to know from the soldier about the purpose of operation gong-gong in Yendi, Sergeant Cobbina replied that it was meant to keep peace and order in the area.

When counsel asked how long it took the military to collect the battery and finally reaching the palace, Sergeant Cobbina replied that it took them between one-and-a-half and two hours. Answering further question, witness said that although the DCE got down when they got to the palace, he could not tell whether he entered the palace or not.

He said the failure of the battery was "a normal occurrence" and should not be interpreted as a deliberate act on the part of the Military. Sergeant Cobbina added that since he was sent to Yendi on 31 January 2002 the gun, which failed to fire, had never been used.

Yahaya, the 33rd witness and the Kula-Lana, who testified earlier, narrated the encounters, communication and consultations between the DCE and the DISEC on one hand and the Ya-Na and his elders on the other, on Saturday 23 March and

Sunday 24 March which culminated in the lifting of the curfew by Mr Prince Imoro Andani, the former Northern Regional Minister.

He said on the morning of Monday, 25 March the Ya-Na summoned his elders and informed them to go ahead with the celebration of the fire festival. The Kula-Lana, however, added that the Ya-Na charged the elders to warn their people not to intrude to the area of the members of the Abudu Gate in the course of the celebration.

He said not long after the elders had gone, the Abudus started firing towards the Ya-Na's palace, so the Ya-Na summoned the elders again and ordered that the celebration of the festival should be stopped.

Hostilities continued till Tuesday evening, witness said and mentioned that one Issah Abdulai and Mahama Yakubu were hit in the waist and thigh, respectively, by gunshots. He said upon the instruction of the Ya-Na he took the two to the Yendi Government Hospital around 4 pm on Tuesday.

The Kula-Lana said the firing intensified on the Wednesday morning and whilst at the hospital, he head an unusual sound of a drum and that prompted him that something unpleasant had happened. When I came out, I saw people running helter-skelter while others said that the Ya-Na had been killed, so I fled to Tamale.

Yahaya replied to a question by the leading counsel for the Andanis that he had since gone to Yendi once for the purchase of four bags of corn for his family. When a counsel for the Abudus, Nana Obiri Boahen, asked if he found out the reason for the curfew from the DCE, witness retorted that that was the right of the Ya-Na to do so.

That was why for three times on the Sunday the Ya-Na sent for him (DCE) to come and explain to him (Ya-Na) but he did not show up, witness said. He responded in the affirmative when the lawyer asked if the DCE accompanied the Ex-Minister to the palace.

Following a series of questions by Nana Boahen, witness appeared provoked and emotionally charged and the Commission's chairman, Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, intervened and asked him to exercise patience.

When counsel submitted that one Diba was not a native of Yendi but came to Yendi purposely to fight in defence of the Ya-Na, witness fumed in reply that the Ya-Na did not mean to be at war with any party, else, as the overlord of the Dagbon state with number of chiefs under him, they would have all come to fight for him.

When counsel for the Abudus also advised him through the interpreter to exercise patience since the Commission's work was a fact-finding one, he replied "it is I who has been killed not the Ya-Na, because he meant everything to me and his death has affected me ever since".

At the turn of Issahuku Wumbei, a security guard at the Yendi branch of the Northern Regional Rural Integrated Programme (NORRIP), he told the Commission that whilst at work on 24 March he was informed by his son about the imposition of a curfew.

He said he became worried when the night watchman, who was supposed to relieve him, failed to come in time but when he finally did, he was told that the former Regional Minister had lifted the curfew.

Wumbei, the 34th witness of the Commission, said when he went back to work the following morning he heard sporadic gunshots and at about 0900 hours some residents of the town, including his family, ran to his workplace (NORRIP), which was about 800 to 900 metres away from the Ya-Na's palace to seek refuge.

Wumbei said his boss, Mr Bob Bodinam, who is the caretaker of the place, asked him to compile a list of the displaced persons, who numbered 70. He continued that the "refugees" stayed in the guesthouse of NORRIP for three days during which they were fed from the food stock of the establishment.

He explained later that NORRIP was a non-governmental organisation, which was supported by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Regional Integration. Wumbei said that although he compiled the list of the displaced, he did not know all of them and that they all stayed at the guesthouse throughout the three days.

The witness, who said he belonged to both gates, could, however, not identify anybody among his list of the displaced from the Andani Gate. He told the Commission that he would be surprised to hear that one Yusif Laftee, who stayed at the NORRIP guesthouse from 25 March to 27 March, was spotted elsewhere during the period. The compiled list of the "refugees" was later tendered in evidence by counsel for the Commission, Mr George Owoo.

GRi…/

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Presiding Member denies allegation about Yendi conflict

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 20 June 2002 - Mr Mahamadu Abdulai, alias Samansaman, Presiding Member of the Yendi District Assembly, on Wednesday vehemently denied that he dragged the late Ya-Na's body and set it ablaze during the Yendi conflict.

He said those who have claimed that they saw him dragging the Ya-Na's body "are just telling lies" as they were only out to discredit him because he belongs to the Abudu faction. Mr Abdulai was testifying as the 30th witness of the Wuaku Commission probing into the Yendi conflict in Sunyani.

He said he was away in Accra on official duty on Monday, 25 March when he had a telephone call from his brother Sulemana Imoro, informing him about disturbances in Yendi and that one of his workers had been wounded in the leg through a gunshot.

Mr Abdulai, who is also the District Environmental Health Officer, said he was also informed that the former Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani, had revoked a curfew that was imposed earlier. He said he, therefore, left Accra immediately and when he got to Yendi at about 5.30 pm. on Tuesday he saw residents going about their normal duties.

Mr Abdulai said he, however, saw some people standing and holding discussions in groups and when he inquired at home about what was happening he was told exactly what he had been told by his brother on the telephone.

Mr. Abdulai said he was relaxing at home between 7.00 and 7.30 in the evening during which gunshots were heard at the Gbewaa Palace area when four policemen came and requested that they needed some soft drinks as they were hungry.

Witness said he took the two policemen to a nearby house and got them some drinks after which he decided to look for members of the District Security Committee (DISEC) since he was a co-opted member in his capacity as the presiding member.

Mr. Abdulai said that when he was informed that the DISEC members were at the police station he asked the policemen to escort him to the place and sat there with his colleagues till 12.00 midnight before going home.

He said he was having serious waist pains and therefore, stayed indoors on Wednesday, 27 March, "but when I heard that there were two corpses lying behind the post office and a tailor's shop, I called the police to inform them.

The presiding member said he became disturbed when he heard that the Ya-Na had been killed since he thought the problem between the two gates could have been resolved amicably.

During cross- examination Mr Abdulai said he was nowhere near the palace on 27 March when the Ya-Na was killed, stating that he does not know Imoro Seidu and Alhassan Nantogmah Andani, who claimed they saw him dragging the Ya-Na's body and set it ablaze.

Asked by the Commission why he did not go out on 27 March, Abdulai said besides having serious waist pains, he was also scared because of the simultaneous firing of guns. "Although I am supposed to preserve bodies as an environmental officer, I feared dead bodies myself."

In a reply to a question as to whether he has a gun, Mr Abdulai said that he has a shotgun, which has not been used for some time now. Asked why he did not go out to assist his brothers, Mr Abdulai stated that he could not have done so because of his waist pains and the curfew that had been re-imposed on Yendi.

At this juncture counsel for the Abudu Gate, Mr E.O. Appiah, informed the Commission that he wanted to tender in evidence, a letter written to the Ya-Na by the Abudu Gate.

He said the letter, which was written in May 2000, was to show the Commission the sort of relationship that existed between the two Gates and the sort of approach the Abudu Gate adopted when they wanted to have discussions with the Ya-Na.

Abdulai said in an answer to Mr Appiah's question that the said letter was registered at the Yendi Post Office when efforts to have it delivered through the Registrar of the Yendi Traditional Council and a sub-chief failed.

When counsel for the Andanis, Mr Charles Haryibor, took the floor after Mr Appiah had tendered the letter, he questioned Abdulai why he had to stay at the police station on Tuesday, 26 March, till midnight.

Abdulai said he did so because all the other members of the DISEC were there, but told the Commission that they were not specifically doing anything because measures had already been put in place to curb the conflict.

Fusheini Alhassan (alias Ayoma), a farmer and the 31st witness, told the Commission that, based on a rumour that circulated among the youth of the Andani and Abudu gates prior to hostilities between them, he caused an announcement to be made on a GBC local radio programme on 22 Friday, March, to the effect that Yendi was unsafe.

It was a listeners' choice programme that I took advantage of, to inform the presenter through the telephone from Yendi about the volatile situation of the place, he said. When counsel for the Commission, Mr George Owoo, asked him about the rationale for relaying on that information to the presenter, Alhassan explained that he meant it to be an appeal to government authorities to beef up security in Yendi during the Fire Festival to avert any clash and to maintain peace and order.

Alhassan said on Saturday, 23 March, a friend from the Andani gate, one Abdulai Salifu, told him around 2.30 pm. that due to the radio announcement about the looming clash in Yendi, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II had ordered that he should be killed. "Adam, therefore, cautioned me that whenever the Ya-Na invited me, I should not go," he added.

Alhassan said he reported the death threat on him by the Ya-Na to Mbadugu, an elder of the Abudu Gate, who took care of the Bolin-Lana. Witness said he slept in Mbadugu's house till 6.00 am on Monday when he heard a commotion within the vicinity of the Abudu Gate's palace.

He stated that upon enquiry he was told that a man called Zibrila from the Andani Gate had come to the area with a local made shotgun threatening that they, (Andani's) were going to use such weapons to eliminate them (Abudus), adding that the Abudu youth dispossessed Zibrila of the gun and destroyed his bicycle and he fled.

Witness said, on that day, he sought refuge in his brother's house, which was some distance away from the conflict area till Tuesday, 28 March, when he returned to his house due to the firing of guns between the two gates.

In a reply to a question by the leading counsel for the Andani Gate, Mr. Hayibor, that the Ya-Na had an elder with the title Mbadugu but was killed, Alhassan said the Bolin-Lana also had an elder with the title Mbadugu.

When Mr. Hayibor asked about the reaction of the Abudus when the ex-Regional Minister came to inform them that both the curfew imposed on Yendi and the ban on the Fire Festival had been lifted he said they were not happy.

To a further question as to whether the Ya-Na's Mbadugu is dead, witness replied, "I don't know". When the counsel asked again about the rationale behind the existence of two Nbadugus, Alhassan attributed that to the feud between the two gates.

In a reply to a question by the Commission about why he rather reported the Ya-na's death threat on him to Mbadugu instead of the Bolin-Lana, witness said it was because Nbadugu took care of the Bolin-Lana, and he knew that he (Mbadugu) would pass on the information to him (Bolin-Lana).

Adam Awudu, a Mason and the 32nd witness told the Commission that at the close of work around 3.00 pm on Tuesday, 26 March, he was on his way to look for his wife and children in his grand father's house when he was hit by a stray bullet on the knee.

He said due to the incident, he remained indoors for three days before his grandfather arranged for him to be taken for herbal treatment. Awudu said he refused to go to hospital for the removal of the bullets, because he is forbidden to take injection, hence he opted for the herbal treatment.

When counsel for the Commission asked Amadu to narrate the incidents that took place towards the end of March in Yendi, he said during that period, he was in-doors due to pains, and could not give any eyewitness account. The Commission adjourned sitting to Thursday 20 June

GRi…/

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Witness denies assuring Ya-Na of lifting of curfew

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 19 June 2002- Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, a Tamale-based legal practitioner, on Tuesday denied ever assuring Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon that the former Northern Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani, would lift the curfew imposed on Yendi.

He was testifying at a sitting of the Wuaku Commission probing into the Yendi crisis as the 28th Commission witness in Sunyani. In an answer to a question by counsel of the Commission, Mr George Owoo, Alhaji Mahama denied that he visited Yendi in connection with the curfew and said, "it was absolutely false that his arrival was announced on the local radio station".

He maintained that it was only after the conflict that he got to know that the curfew was short-lived, adding that he did not influence the former Regional Minister to lift the curfew imposed by the Yendi District Security Council. Alhaji Mahama, however, admitted causing an announcement to be made on Radio Savanna, a Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) FM Station in Tamale that the Ya-Na Andani was not dead.

He said that announcement was made after the GBC had announced the death of the Ya-Na to calm the nerves of the people of Dagbon Traditional Area. Alhaji Mahama stated that he was shocked to hear from the GBC that the Ya-Na was dead and "the purpose of my announcement was to calm the storm".

When asked by the Commission whether he now believed that the Ya-Na was dead, witness replied in the affirmative but gave a reply to another question that he had not announced Ya-Na's death. Alhaji Mahama, however, said he had given indications about the death of Ya-Na Andani through interviews he granted to some radio stations. He added that he made the counter announcement about the death of the Ya-Na in his own capacity as the nephew of the Ya-Na.

At this juncture, the Commission informed witness that it had been alleged that he accompanied all witnesses to give statements to the Police in connection with the conflict. Alhaji Mahama replied that he never did so and added that announcement was made inviting people to give statement to the Police and they complied.

He stated that he only visited elders of the Andani Gate after the conflict since the former Regional Minister asked him to do so to summon them to meet a government delegation led by Mr J. H. Mensah. Alhaji Mahama told the Commission that some of the elders escaped to Tamale during the conflict and only saw them again on Thursday, March 23.

Asked whether he was protecting the interests of the Ya-Na, witness said the biological children of the Paramount Chief were staying in his mother's house.

To another question, Alhaji Mahama replied that he did not know the number of wives, children nor subjects currently staying with his mother in Tamale, whom he (Mahama) was catering for.

Earlier, Kwadwo Ngula, a 40-year-old farmer, also testified before the Commission as the 27th witness and said that more of the men in the Gbewaa

Palace fired back at the Abudus although they had local and single barrel guns. The Commission told Ngula his claim was untrue since some witnesses at the palace had testified that they also fired.

He said that the Ya-Na told his men not to use their arms but to seek peaceful means to resolve the misunderstanding between them and the Abudus. Ngula alleged that after he and one Zibia Ila had been rescued to the Yendi Military Camp he saw the Yendi District Chief Executive, Mohammed Habibu Tijani, wearing a local bullet proof attire.

He said Mr Tijani, who removed the local bullet proof attire he and Ila were wearing, asked whether they preferred the curfew, which was imposed earlier to the conflict that was then raging on. At this point, leading counsel for the Abudus, Nana Obiri Boahen, requested the Commission to send Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama, who was to give evidence away from the hall.

After some deliberations, Alhaji Mahama was prevailed upon by the Commission to leave after he made it known that he was prepared to give evidence to answer some allegations made by some witnesses. In an answer to a question by Nana Obiri Boahen, Ngula told the Commission that he and his men did not use their weapons to protect the Ya-Na because he (Ya-Na) did not order them to do so.

After being asked a series of questions by leading counsel for the Abudus, Ngula told the Commission that Nana Obiri Boahen was going too far. This, the leading counsel for the Andanis, Charles Hayibor, thought was not fair and cautioned Ngula that such retorts could land him in trouble since "it could be contempt of the Commission."

The Chairman of the Commission reminded Ngula about the oath he had sworn to tell the truth about what he knew adding; "a lot of evidence that you have given are lies and your own people will bear me out. "He told the Commission that the Ya-Na asked them to frighten the Abudus and not to kill them in an answer to a question, adding that he only saw dead bodies in the main hall of the palace and nowhere else.

Mahamadu Michael, 59, Registrar of Dagbon Traditional Council, who also gave evidence recounted events in Yendi on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, 24 March and the imposition of the curfew and its subsequent lifting by Mr Prince Imoro Andani, ex-Northern Regional Minister.

He told the Commission that the Ya-Na, having told the ex-Minister of the importance of the Fire Festival, added that he had no problem with anybody in Yendi. The Ya-Na, therefore, gave assurance to Mr Andani that there would be no cause for alarm and the festival would be celebrated in peace, Mr Mahamadu said.

He said on Monday, March 25, however whilst at the hall of the Gbewaa Palace with Ya-Na, he heard a gunshot directed at the palace and when he inquired, he was told that the palace was under attack.

Witness said between 0900 hours 1000 hours there was a telephone call from Joy FM in Accra, in which a woman's voice asked about events in Yendi, to which he replied that the Ya-Na's palace was under attack. Mahamadu said the caller wanted to know if the Police and the DCE were there but he replied that neither of them was there.

Mahamadu answered in the affirmative when the Commission asked if people were firing back from the palace on Tuesday morning. Defence men were returning fire at that time, he said. The Registrar indicated that whilst in his house, which was about half 800metre away from the palace on Tuesday, March 26, he received a message through one Mahamadu Patina, an employee of the Yendi District Centre for National Culture that the firing exchanges had intensified.

He said as he had been sick since Friday, 22 March and could, therefore, not do anything, his children took him on a motorbike at 1130 hours to Gushegu and he left for Tamale after two days. When asked by Commission's counsel if the two gates celebrated the Fire Festival separately, he replied in the affirmative.

Mahamadu explained that the two gates used to celebrate the festival together on the same day until a division erupted between them in the 1950s. But in answer to another question, he replied that, it was nevertheless celebrated differently on the same day last year.

When asked what created the division between the two gates, he said he did not know. At this juncture, proceedings were halted for more than 30 minutes as the Commission found a lot of inconsistencies in his answers. The cause of the problem was that whilst the Commission saw two letters, one dated March 30 and a second dated April 12, as "figments of Mahamadu's own imagination", witness insisted that he wrote them under the instruction of the elders of the Dagbon Traditional Council.

The Registrar alleged that some people he had mentioned in the first letter had before the Yendi tragedy conspired that, the time was ripe to overthrow the Ya-Na. The names in that letter were, however, not disclosed at the sitting. When the Commission wanted to know as to the last time that the Dagbon Traditional Council met before the tragic events of 24, 26 and 27 March in Yendi, witness said he could not tell.

At this juncture, the Commission Chairman asked of his age and told him "I expect you to speak the truth as the Registrar". When the Commission, therefore, continued with a question about the first time the Dagbon Traditioal Council met after the tragedy, he responded as 1 April.

Meanwhile, in response to questions by Nana Obiri Boahen, Counsel for the Abudus, Mahamadu told the Commission that since he left for Tamale from Gushegu, he had not been to Yendi again and had even been operating from an office in the premises of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs in Tamale.

The Commission pointed out to witness that his claim that elders of the Dagbon Traditional Council held a meeting and authorised him to write those letters to the Regional Police Commander was his personal initiative. He replied in the negative as he had earlier responded to a similar question by Nana Obiri Boahen. Sitting was adjourned till Wednesday.

GRi…/

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Witness causes stir at Wuaku Commission

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 15 June 2002- Kwaku Donkor Montana, a farmer at Tusani, near Yendi on Friday caused a stir at the Wuaku Commission of inquiry when he retorted in reply to a question by counsel for the Abudu gate that the lawyer should not subject him to irrelevant questions. Donkor, in his 70's and who identified himself as chief warrior of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, appeared before the Commission as the 24th witness.

Nana Obiri Boahen, counsel, had asked the old warrior if he bled when he was shot on Tuesday, 26 March as he had told the Commission. When the interpreter translated the question to him in Dagbani, Donkor suddenly became angry and replied: "if I did not bleed how would I have felt dizzy"?

Donkor also rebuffed a question from the commission with a question "is it possible to see somebody who has shot you from behind?" The Commission wanted to know why he had said in his evidence that he could not identify the one who shot him out of four attackers, but told the police in his statement that one Adam Sumani shot him.

Donkor, who said he took the title "Montana" as the chief warrior, told the Commission that he arrived in Yendi at noon on Tuesday, March 26, when the Gbewaa palace was under siege by combatants of the Abudu Gate.

The chief's servants and elders were under the pavilion in the palace when I entered there, he added. Donkor said he despatched a messenger with his motorbike to inform his family in Tusani about the precarious situation of the Ya-Na and the entire members of the Andani Gate.

Following the message, four of my children arrived at the palace with the eldest of them, called Asaafo, carrying four locally manufactured guns, he said. Witness added that it was when he decided to go and greet one of the Andani elders at a nearby house that four persons, one of whom he identified as Adam Sumani, fired at him from behind.

The chief warrior said he did not meet anybody in the house, so, after waiting for a while, "I removed the bullets and returned to the palace." Donkor said on the Ya-Na's advice, he was sent to the Yendi Hospital by three persons whom he named as Mohammadu Wofa, Mahamadu Billa and his own son, Iddi.

At this point, Donkor stood up from the witness sent, removed his smock and singlet and showed the mark (scar) of the bullets to the Commission. Asked by the Commission's counsel about how long he was at the hospital, he replied, "three days".

He denied that he spent seven days at the hospital, even though he had said so in his police statement that was read to him by the Commission. When asked by counsel for the Abudus how he managed to identify Adam Sumani when he was shot, the old warrior replied, "I recognised him by the uniform he was wearing, a black-coloured jumper."

To another question by the counsel as to why he did not go to the police station to report when he saw the palace under siege, Donkor responded, "I am not under the police but under the Ya-Na."

Witness told the commission that members of the Andani gate were counting on divine intervention for their rescue in answer to a question as to the reaction of the Ya-Na and his elders at the palace, notwithstanding the hail of bullets. Donkor, born in Koforidua, told the Commission that he used one of his hands to remove the bullets from his body when he was shot.

Another witness, Abdulai Ziblim, a 37-year-old farmer, corroborated the evidence of the old warrior about events on Monday, March 25. He said on that day, he was pelted with stones and assaulted by a group of Abudu youth as he was returning to the palace from an errand in the morning.

Ziblim said as his assailants chased, he fell from his bicycle and one Imoru Kyeampong hit him with a block as he lay on the ground. I managed to rescue myself when I drew a knife from my pocket, as that scared them away, but in my anxiety to save my life, I fled leaving my sandals and bicycle behind, he added. Ziblim alleged that when he reported at the hospital for treatment a clerk turned him away because he could not pay 20,000 cedis, cash down.

This was after he had made a report about his assault to the police. He corroborated evidence given by earlier witnesses concerning the firing-exchanges and the burning of some houses around the Gbewaa palace. Ziblim, however, stated that on Wednesday morning when the firing intensified, the Ya-Na proposed a cease-fire and asked that the information be communicated to the attackers.

"The Ya-Na called for dialogue to end hostilities since there were women and children at the palace, but our attackers did not budge and continued firing." He said the Ya-Na, therefore, asked him (witness) to deliver 'SOS' message to the military detachment at Yendi, but as he scaled a wall to proceed on the errand, he was shot in the hand.

Ziblim said when he got to the barracks, some solders on parade shouted at him: "my friend, go back, my friend, go back." He said he then knelt before the Yendi District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Mohammed Habib Tinjani, who was there, to use his influence to get some soldiers to go and rescue the Ya-Na.

He alleged that an army officer retorted: "the Ya-Na is very stupid" and barked at him to go and sit down. According to him evidence by the Guntangi-Na, Alhassan Shahadu, the 22nd witness, who testified on Thursday, that they were made to remove their talismans, charms and amulets on the orders of the soldiers to be burnt in the presence of the DCE.

He said a second appeal to the DCE to ensure the despatch of soldiers to the palace for the rescue mission received the reply from the DCE: "when we wanted to impose a curfew, you people rejected the idea." Ziblim said when Shahadu also arrived at the barracks with the same rescue message from the Ya-Na, the DCE posed the question: "what is happening and the curfew, which is better?"

Ziblim could only identify four of his attackers he named as Imoru Kyamong, a teacher at Yendi, one Oklos, Musah and Ayoma. Asked further if Ayoma did something to him, he replied in the affirmative. "They chased and pelted me with stones while shouting "kill him, kill him." Ziblim said they used locally made guns at the palace when counsel for the Abudus asked him about the type of guns they had at the palace.

At this juncture Mr Justice Wuaku, chairman of the commission reminded witness that the commission was only interested in the truth of the tragedy. "If you tell lies, that cannot help the commission to know the truth of the matter," the chairman said. "It is the truth I am telling you," Ziblim replied through the interpreter.'

Ziblim, like some of the previous Andani witnesses, denied the existence of an armoury at the Ya-Na's palace. On how the Abudus retreated on 26 March, witness replied that, "we used our single-barrelled guns to repel them."

When the Commission suggested that he had eight cartridges on him at the time that he was asked to remove his talismans at the military camp, Ziblim insisted that he had only one on him. Alhassan Yakubu, a Junior Secondary School two student at Yendi, who also appeared as a witness, added his voice to the narratives by his co-witnesses about events on Wednesday, 27 March.

Yakubu, 23, and a resident of the palace and son of the Ya-Na's younger brother, told the Commission that he slept in his school in the company of other frightened students on both Monday and Tuesday. He said on the Wednesday morning he mustered courage and secretly left the school for the palace.

Witness said at a point when the going became tough for those in the palace, he jumped over a wall to join five other youth from the palace who had sought refuge behind a heap of firewood at a nearby prison quarters.

He named the five as Mitawakil Iddrisu, Imrana Shaibu, Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, a cousin Abubakari Amadu and Shaibu Abdulai. Yakubu recounted how he watched proceedings from his hideout and saw jubilant Abudus celebrating their 'victory' with drumming and dancing.

GRi…/

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Ya-Na's son resumes evidence

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 14 June 2002- Strangers with a foreign accent were among the combatants from the Abudu gate who stormed the Ya-Na's palace, Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, son of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, told the Wuaku Commission sitting in Sunyani on Thursday.

Continuing with this evidence, which he started on Wednesday, witness said, "When the attackers entered the palace there were some people I saw amongst them who I never knew."

Nantogmah described the strangers as "energetic-looking and were in green T-shirts and knickers, with some of them wearing hats. "The late chief's son broke down in tears at a point in his evidence on Wednesday as he described how his father died in the attack. This compelled the Commission to adjourn proceedings abruptly at around 1pm instead of the usual time of 2pm.

Nantogmah replied in the negative, when asked by the Commission if he knew everybody in Yendi. He, however, insisted that the 'strangers' were not from Yendi when asked to justify why he described them so. "I guessed they were strangers as the type of Pidgin English they spoke was not of Ghanaian accent."

He alleged that the 'strangers' were using sophisticated weapons', which he described as those used by the police. Nantogmah denied knowledge about the existence of an armoury at the Ya-Na's palace. The Commission then asked: "will you be surprised that the police discovered an armoury at the palace?' "I will be astonished," witness replied.

When asked further by the Commission about how the attackers were repelled on Tuesday, 26 March, when firing was returned from the Ya-Na's palace, Nantogmah answered in the negative, saying, "I don't know."

He however, admitted that the Ya-Na had warriors at the palace and agreed that some seven names contained in his statement to the police were part of the palace warriors. But he disagreed with the Commission that one Asafo was the head of the warriors and rather mentioned one Nontangnam Kwaku Donkor as the leader.

Nantogmah replied in the affirmative when asked if he saw anybody in the palace in war apparel. He told the Commission in answer to another question that at a stage the warriors in the palace managed to repel the Abudus.

Nantogmah, who began his evidence from events on Wednesday 27 March, narrated that when their attackers intensified their firing, "some of us including one Shaibu, Imrana, Alhassan Yakubu and others became frustrated. "We therefore, scaled a short wall at the palace and sought refuge in an abandoned veranda at a nearby prisons quarters".

He said whilst at the hideout, they watched the actions of the attackers. At a point, he added, when Amadu, (one of those at the hideout) called their attention to look at one Idana holding the Ya-Na's hand, he (witness) was not surprised because of the way he had seen his father lying prostrate after being shot.

While this was going on, the Abudus were making a whole lot of noise at the precincts of the palace and I heard one of them saying, "whoever is a man enough should come forwards to face us".

Witness added that he heard one Yahaya saying that Yakubu (who was with them at the hide-out) was the next person they (Abudus) were going to burn. Nantogmah continued that he heard Mohammed Kyampong, one of the attackers give the order that Mohammed Achana Abdul-Salam, a warrior and a son in-law of Ya-Na, should be shot in front of the palace.

"All these events, he said, happened between 9 am and 10am whilst we held ourselves up at the hide-out till 1.00 pm before we left for the Yendi Hospital as some of us had been wounded."

Nantogmah added that Abudus, who were then in a jubilant mood, multiplied at the precincts of the palace. At this time, he said Mohammed Zei and Tinjani Zei, two of the attackers passed near where we were hiding, holding guns, to the Ya-Na's palace. The late chief's son narrated that they then heard the beating of gong-gong and drums by some of the Abudus approaching the palace.

Nantogmah said they heard some of the Abudus saying that they should go and bring their chief to come and dance. After those people had left for the Bolin-Lana (chief of the Abudus), "we heard the beating of a drum, its language interpreted as 'a hero has fallen', he added.

When the Commission at this point asked if the drumming was part of their history that he knew, witness replied in the affirmative. He explained that at dawn of festive occasions, the drummers assembled at the palace to beat such drums to extol the virtues of their past heroes and ancestors to remind the Ya-Na of the wars fought in the past.

Nantogmah said that after the beating of the drums for fallen heroes, they head the sound of another drum, 'tinpan', "which is beaten when a chief arrives at a place".

The sound of the tinpan drum intensified and it appeared that jubilant Abudus were dancing towards the Royal Mausoleum, which is near the palace, he added.

Witness said "at this time, I saw one Mohamadu Fushei dragging the Ya-Na's body to a point whilst two other men holding lorry tyres placed them on it and poured a liquid on it". When asked to mention those he identified, he cited the Bolin-Lana and his counsellor, the Zaligu-Lana, among others.

He alleged that they then saw a military Mowag passing by and when it reached where the Abudus were jubilating around the palace, one of its occupants advised them to disperse if they had accomplished their mission to avoid being fired on by soldiers from Tamale.

Witness said the Ya-Na had sent for military intervention to rescue him. Asked further if the Mowag was in the town that day, he replied that it was seen patrolling in the town.

In an answer to another question by the Commission, witness said the Ya-Na expressed dissatisfaction with the police and military protection for the Abudus during the celebration of the El-dul-Adha festival. Asked if during this festival the Gbewaa palace was given any security protection, he replied in the negative.

When Alhassan Sahadu, another witness was sworn in to begin his evidence, a Sunyani-based lawyer, Nana Obiri-Boahen announced his appearance for the Abudu Gate. Sahad who is the Guntengli-Na, a sub-chief of the Ya-Na, corroborated the evidence of earlier witnesses on the events on Sunday, 24 March.

He said when efforts by the Ya-Na to get the Yendi District Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani, to explain the rationale behind the imposition of the curfew failed, they later got the ex-Regional Minister, Mr Prince Imoro Andani, who denied knowledge about the decision to impose the curfew since he (ex-Minister) was in Accra at the time that the decision was taken.

The ex-Minister, therefore, told the Ya-Na that he (ex-Minister) could not deprive him of his right to observe the Fire Festival. Shahadu, however, added that the ex-Minister lifted the curfew based on the assurance of the Ya-Na that the celebration of the festival would be peaceful. Witness corroborated the evidence of other witnesses, particularly the firing between the two gates on Monday and Tuesday.

He said on the Wednesday morning, they were in the palace when fire was set on it by the attackers, amidst a hail of bullets fired into the palace from outside, with some hitting the walls. Shahadu said when they could no longer contain the heat of the fire set on the palace and the intensity of the firing from the Abudus he fled by scaling a wall amidst bullets whistling past him.

When asked by the Commission why he did not sustain any injuries, he said he prayed to God at that time to protect him. He said he sought refuge at the police station and was helped to the barracks of the Yendi military detachment where he met the DCE.

At the barracks, he said, an officer asked him if the Ya-Na was alive, and quoted the officer as saying, "we wanted to impose a curfew but he (Ya-Na) refused". He continued that he was made to board a Mowag to the palace where only two young men, Alhassan Zakari and Kofi Wura were seen and together, they returned to the barracks.

Shahadu alleged that he and the two young men were ordered to remove their talismans and amulets to be burnt at the barracks in the presence of the DCE.

He said in answer to a question that on Tuesday, 26 March, he led the wives of the Ya-Na and their children out of the palace for safety somewhere. When the Commission questioned him about inconsistencies in his two statements to the police and his evidence, witness insisted that all that he had said was the true account of events during the crisis.

Justifying that assertion, Shahadu told the Commission that he did not believe that there were inconsistencies in the statements even though he was not of himself when he gave the statements to the police.

I even begged them (the police) to forgive me if they found any omissions, he added. Mohammed Achana Abdul-Salam, another witness, told the Commission that he is a warrior for the Kumbungu-Na, who owed allegiance to the Ya-Na.

As a warrior and a son-in-law of the Ya-Na, I went to Yendi on the morning of Tuesday, 26 March to see how the chief was faring, following an announcement on Radio Savanna in Tamale at 5.00 pm on Monday, 25 March, that due to some troubles in Yendi, a curfew had been imposed, he said.

Witness corroborated the evidence of earlier witnesses about the ordeal they went through from the Tuesday morning to about 10 am on Wednesday, when he was helped by a police officer, who he named as Inspector Ben, to Yendi Hospital for treatment. He told the Commission that when they were hemmed in at the palace on the Wednesday morning, he decided to face the attackers in front of the palace.

Abdul-Salam said in the process, he received gunshot wounds on the two elbows, on the head and in the belly, which he showed to the Commission. Witness denied knowledge of the existence of an armoury at the Ya-Na's palace when asked by the Commission.

Mr. Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, chairman of the Commission, before adjourning proceedings, noted that unlike the previous days, the space interval between the two gates at the hall was too wide. He said that did not augur well for the efforts being made to reconcile the two gates. Sitting was adjourned till Friday, 14 June.

GRi…/

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President Kufuor must visit Dagbon “ Minority demands”

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 June 2002 - The Minority in Parliament has criticised Ghana’s president, John Kufuor for not visiting the Dagbon Traditional Area since the assassination of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II.

Minority Chief Whip, Doe Adjaho, told the House; "since March, the President and his Vice have not gone to the conflict area. We are not happy. He should put it on his agenda". The minority expressed the concern during the considering a request made by government for the extension of the state of emergency in the Dagbon Traditional area for another month.

Government first imposed a state of emergency on the Dagbon Traditional Area in March following clashes between the Andani and Abudu Royal Gates to the Ya-Na Skin that led to the death of Ya-Na Andani and many others. Majority Leader, Papa Owusu-Ankoma, said President Kufuor is given a daily briefing on the security situation in the area adding that he would make a public statement on the crises at the appropriate time. "Sometimes it is better not to do something that would unwittingly worsen the situation."

Earlier, Alhaji Mohamed Mumuni, NDC-Kumbungu, accused the security personnel in the area of molesting the people. "I and other MPs from the area have reports of brutalities and inhuman treatment. There are allegations of extortion and molestation of drivers."

He mentioned one Fatao Alhassan, who was arrested and detained, but was never published as demanded by law. The member said particulars of victims have been sent to the Ministry of the Interior for investigations. He accordingly asked government to reduce the curfew hours from 2100 hours to 0500 hours to 2200 hours to 0500 hours.

Alhaji Mumuni said market women and farmers, who travelled far distances to work, found the present arrangement very uncomfortable. "We believe that if this request is granted the people would appreciate the fact that somebody is appreciative of the sacrifices they are making to bring about peace in the area."

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Andani witness falls sick during hearing

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 13 June 2002 - A 36-year old farmer from the Andani Gate, who was giving evidence at the Wednesday's sitting of the Wuaku Commission probing into the Yendi crisis in Sunyani suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the Sunyani Police Clinic for treatment.

Zakari was the fourth witness of the Andani gate to testify before the Commission. The Commission had drawn the attention of Zakari to certain inaccuracies in the statements he gave on 30 March and 13 April on one hand and the evidence he was giving.

It, therefore, reminded him that the main aim of the Commission was to establish the truth about what actually happened during the crisis and that witnesses had to tell exactly what they know about the incident.

The Commission noted that in his statement to the Police on 30 March, Zakari said that a busload of people was despatched from Tamale to assist the Andanis to fight the Abudus. But in his evidence, witness denied that statement, insisting that those, who were sent to Yendi were to ascertain how the Ya-Na was faring.

He also denied ever saying in his statement to the Police that many people died from both gates when the fight intensified on Wednesday 27 March. It was at this point that Zakari started sweating profusely and began to feel uneasy in his seat.

He, therefore, bent down and complained to the interpreter that he was feeling dizzy and when the Commission was informed, the Chairman directed the police to send him to the clinic for treatment. Earlier, Zakari told the Commission that the Ya-Na told the Abudu fighters to stop the shootings and burning of houses since he was prepared to vacate the palace.

When asked how the Ya-Na managed to speak to Abudus in the heat of events, witness replied that some of the Andanis in the palace risked their lives and stood on the wall to relay the chief's message.

Zakari stated that when the fight intensified on 27 March, an explosion set ablaze the main hall of the palace, where the chief and his people had gathered. The Ya-Na ordered his men to go out and said, "I am prepared to go out and face any consequences than to be left here to be burnt to death", he said.

Zakari said when the Ya-Na got out he was followed by some of his elders and one of them Mba Dogu, was immediately shot in the legs. Zakari recounted that when the Ya-Na got out of the palace, he heard the Abudus shouting "Nayiri na, Nayiri na', meaning "the chief has come out, the chief has come out".

Asked by the Commission if he could identify some of the men, who died in the fight, he mentioned Mba Abramani, Fusheni and 'old man', all from the Andani gate as those whose bodies he saw. Responding to another question, Zakari stated that there were only seven people in the Ya-Na's palace who had guns.

When the Commission wanted to know why the Ya-Na could not seek the assistance of the military on Monday when the palace was attacked thrice, witness replied that they could not do so due to the intense tension around the palace.

Zakari also alleged that the Abudus only burnt houses around the Ya-Na's palace that belonged to the Andani's, adding that his own house was also burnt in the heat of events.

When it came to his turn, Nantogmah Alhassan Andani, son of the slain Ya-Na broke down in tears as he narrated how his father fell down in a hail of bullets. The sad moment made the Commission to adjourn proceedings till Thursday. Nantogmah, a student of Tamale Polytechnic, was giving evidence as the 21st witness of the Commission.

He told the Commission that on Wednesday 27 March, the Abudus started sporadic shooting towards the palace and houses around it. Witness corroborated the evidence of Zakari that when they could no longer contain the heat in the main hall of the palace after it had been set ablaze, the Ya-Na and his elders resolved to go out instead of remaining in the palace to be caught in by the blaze.

At that time it became clear that whoever passed through the main gate of the palace would be shot, he added. Nantogmah recounted that two elders, who were leading his father, were instantly killed when they stepped out. It was at this point that he broke down in tears as he told the Commission how his late father fell and lay prostrate on the ground after he was shot.

Mr Charles Hayibor, leading counsel of the Andanis, therefore, pleaded with the Commission to adjourn proceedings till the next day since the witness could not continue with his evidence. The Commission upheld his plea and adjourned proceedings at about 12.55 PM, about an hour earlier than the usual closing time.

Nantogmah, who gave his evidence in English, told the Commission that he preferred giving background information about events from June 2001 towards the end of March, to limiting himself within the Yendi crisis period.

The Commission said in as much as it would not prevent him from doing so, it was rather interested in ascertaining what actually ensued between the two gates on 25, 26 and 27 March, this year. The deaths, casualties, the perpetrators, who saw whom and what, who attacked and killed whom, are our concerns, the Commission added.

Witness continued that tension began to mount between the two gates as far back as 10 June 2001 when the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama visited the area to take part in the Damba festival.

He said the Ya-Na informed the DCE, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani, about preparations being made by the Abudus to also celebrate the festival on the same day (10 June). The DCE, after consultation with the District Security Council (DISEC) advised the Abudus not to go ahead with their celebration, witness added.

Nantogmah alleged that the Ya-Na expressed his displeasure at the attempt by the Abudus to celebrate the Damba festival and other festivals like the Id-ul-Fitr and the Id-ul-Adha, when the Vice President called on him.

The Ya-Na complained that their action could lead to violence and chaos in the area in future, he stated. Witness said the Ya-Na complained that it was not proper for the Veep to call on the Bolin-Lana as had been indicated on the programme for the visit.

Nontogmah narrated that in late March when news reached them about the imposition of a curfew, as well as the ban of the fire festival, they (Andanis) inferred that move by the DISEC as a manipulation by the Abudus to prevent the Andanis from the celebration.

He explained that the Abudus expected that if they would not be allowed to celebrate the festival, then the Andanis must also not be allowed. Witness said hostilities began on Monday morning when as part of the fire festival many people had gathered at the Ya-Na's palace.

The fight became intense the following day that nobody could even go out of the palace, he said, adding that it they even made sure that those sent on errands were unfamiliar to the Abudus.

Nantogmah confirmed that around 4pm, the palace was surrounded by combatants who could not be recognised. "In the evening, one Iddrisu was seen setting fire to a house around the palace by a woman called Mariama Alhassan (E.K.A 'Control'), and he (Iddrisu) warned her to keep mute and leave the scene for her dear life.

"During this period, I saw one Mohamadu Kyampong, giving firing orders to the combatants, while Alhassan Zakari, Zibila and others, all Andanis, fired back from the palace. Witness said around 6am on Wednesday, one Alhaji Abubakar, an electrician, phoned the palace to inform them that the Abudus had decided to resume hostilities at 10am.

When the Commission asked him to explain the possibility of the call at that time since it had earlier been told that the telephone lines had been cut, he explained that it was possible to make internal calls but not trunk calls.

Nantogmah told the Commission that the intensity of the firing by the Abudus created tension at the palace, adding that at a point, they (Abudus) came close and set it ablaze.

When the Commission asked if he could recognise any of the attackers, he replied in the negative, saying, "since we were not outside, we could not recognise them as they were unfamiliar to us". Meanwhile a witness, Zakari, who was rushed to the police clinic due to dizziness and profuse sweating returned later but was not called to continue with his evidence.

Zakari had earlier admitted that there were guns in the palace and they had been using them. To a question by the Commission whether the Ya-Na had an armoury at the palace, he responded in the affirmative but denied knowledge that it had exploded.

GRi../

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Wuaku Commission continues probe

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 12 June 2002 - Three witnesses of the Andani gate on Tuesday appeared before the Wuaku Commission probing the Yendi crisis and gave chilling accounts of how the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II was assassinated.

They are: Iddrissu Mutawakil, a former student of Vitin Secondary School, Tamale, Imrana Sayibu, a student at the Tamale Polytechnic and Bukari Amadu 27, a student at the Bagabaga Training College, Tamale It was the first appearance of witnesses from the gate before the Commission since they rescinded their decision not to appear before the Commission in Sunyani.

Led in evidence by a retired Chief State Attorney, Mr George Owoo, counsel for the Commission, all the three witnesses alleged that they saw one Idana holding the severed hand of the late Ya-Na tied with a rope and hanging on his neck on Wednesday 27 March, after he had been assassinated.

Mutawakil, 20, who testified first as Commission's 17th witnesses narrated events which took place from Sunday 24 March to Wednesday, 27 March in Yendi. He said whilst at the Ya-Na's palace on Sunday, news got to the chief about the imposition of a curfew and the ban on the celebration of the "Fire Festival" in the area.

Mutawakil said the Ya-Na, who was upset by the news questioned the rationale behind the action by the Yendi District Security Committee (DISEC) since, he as the overlord of the land, was not consulted. "When efforts by the chief to get the Yendi DCE, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani to give reasons for the curfew failed, the Ya-Na managed to get the former Northern Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani on telephone".

Mutawakil alleged that when the ex-Minister, who came to Yendi was asked by the chief why he (Ya-Na) was not consulted before such an action was taken, he replied that he did not know anything about the action. Witness said after the late Ya-Na had assured the ex-Minister that there would not be any trouble if the festival was celebrated, he subsequently lifted the curfew and the ban on the festival.

Mutawakil told the Commission that hostilities between the two gates started in the morning of Monday when the Ya-Na was informed that some armed members from the Abudu gate were coming to attack them.

In an answer to a question that, "what were those men in the Ya-Na's palace doing when the Abudus started firing", Mutawakil replied that, the Andanis also retaliated. He said the exchanges resulted in the death of some men from the Andani's side.

Mutawakil stated that the Abudu fighters retreated around noon and came back towards the evening during which exchange of gunfire resumed till late in the night.

"On Tuesday 26 March, when the fighting intensified, I was in the Ya-Na's Palace when I saw a military armoured car passing by where the fighters from the

Abudu gate had gathered," he said. Witness added that although the armoured car went and came back for the third time, the soldiers did not stop the Abudus from firing towards the Ya-Na's palace till late in the evening when hostilities ceased.

Mutawakil recounted that around 6.00 am on Wednesday fighting between the combatants intensified when those in the Ya-Na's palace realised that the Abudus had set some houses around the palace ablaze. He said they later set part of the Palace on fire and when nothing else could be done, "the late chief advised us to find an escape route for our dear lives".

He added that some of the youth in the Palace jumped over the wall, while the chief, his elders and some men passed through the main gate. Mutawakil quoted the Ya-Na as encouraging his men to "go out and face their enemies since their fate was in the hands of God at that time.

Mutawakil continued that when they jumped over the wall, they escaped to a prison quarters behind the palace and it was while hiding behind a pack of wood that they saw Idana with the severed hand of the late Ya-Na.

He quoted Idana as boasting whilst some of his people were drumming and dancing that, "I am holding the chief's hand and anyone who thinks he is a man should come and retrieve it from me." Mutawakil said the hand was tied with a rope and was loosely hanging around the neck of Idana.

When asked by a member of the Commission how he was able to identify that the severed hand was that of the late chief, Mutawakil replied that he recognised it "because the wrist watch on the hand was that of the Ya-Na". He could not however, tell whether the hand was the right or the left one when the Commission asked him.

Witness told the Commission that between where they were hiding and where Idana and his men were jubilating was about 80 metres and the Commission at that point asked him to demonstrate the distance by walking from the hall to a point outside.

He replied to a question about how he was able to identify that the watch on the severed hand was that of the Ya-Na that, "I have lived with the Ya-Na for a long time and the gold-coloured watch was the one he was wearing before the tragedy. Mutawakil alleged that at a point, he managed to run to the police quarters, "but instead of providing me with security they rather assaulted me and left me to my fate".

He said as he ran towards the Yendi Post Office, he saw some members of the Abudu family in a group and was lucky when a police van appeared and picked him to the police station, where he alleged that policemen again assaulted him and drove him away. "I was hit by a bullet when I got to the Abudus, fired by one Osman alias Kupi after which I ran towards the palace, where some prison officials took me to the Yendi hospital for treatment and I was discharged the following day".

When leading counsel for the Andanis, Mr Charles Hayibor, asked witness why hewas beaten by the police and sent away, he replied, "I think because I came from the palace". At this point the commission told him that since his account implicated some personalities, he would be recalled to give further evidence when those people would be called to appear before the Commission.

Imrana Sayibu, a student of the Tamale Polytechnic and the 18th witness told the Commission that he was in the Ya-Na's palace on the morning of Tuesday, 26 March, to collect a satellite disk from one Andani, a friend for sale.

Sayibu, who corroborated most of the evidence of Mutawakil said he was at the palace holding some discussions with his friend when they heard gunshots outside the palace at about 9 o'clock in the morning and that continued till about 3.00 pm. He said in the evening he heard the sound of a helicopter approaching and those in the palace thought that a reinforcement had arrived to assist the Ya-Na but no such assistance came.

The witness said when the fight intensified the following morning and the Abudus started burning the palace, he smelt the scent of petrol whilst those in the palace had gathered at the main hall. He continued that when two men sent by the Ya-Na to seek assistance from the military to come to his rescue failed to return, he (the chief) ordered his people to go out and fight.

Sayibu recounted that after he had jumped over the wall, he later saw the Ya-Na lying prostrate but could not tell whether he was dead at that time .He added that he could identify one Baba Troga, who shot at him but was fortunate that the bullets missed him. Witness said he was later on shot in the right thigh by one Baba Zuahere, and Abdulai Jekre, which made him fall, but managed to ran away to join his colleagues, who were hiding behind a pack of wood near the Prisons Quarters.

"Whilst we were in our hideout, I saw the Presiding Member of the Yendi District Assembly and his little brother, dragging the body of the late Ya-Na', he said.

Sayibu said he also saw a photographer, called Kuums, holding lorry tyres whilst one boy, called Mustapha, poured a liquid on the tyres, which were later packed on late chief's body, and set ablaze. He alleged that afterwards an armoured car pulled by and the military men in it asked those burning the body: "have you finished with your mission," to which they replied in the affirmative.

Asked by the Commission how he was able to identify that it was the body of the late Ya-Na that was being dragged, Sayibu replied that he knew that from the chief's dress.

Another witness, Bukari Amadu, 27, a teacher trainee at the Bagabaga Training College, Tamale, said he was on Easter holidays at Yendi when the incident occurred. He alleged that on Saturday 23 March, whilst he was on a visit to a friend, who is from the Abudu's gate, he overheard some men saying that the DCE had assured them that some strangers would come to assist them to kill the Ya-Na.

He said on Tuesday, 26 March, there were exchanges of fire between the two factions during which many people including Naa Zo, Iddrissu Abdulai and one

Fusheni, all from the Andani gate died.

Amadu said the late Ya-Na requested that those shooting at the palace should stop for peace talks but when the Abudus heard this they rather intensified their shooting. He said the Ya-Na, therefore, sent men to the military to rescue him to vacate the palace for his pursuers, but they failed to come. Asked how he managed to run away without sustaining any injuries, he replied, "it was through divine intervention." Sitting continues on Wednesday.

GRi…/

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Abudu's jubilated after Ya-Na's death – Witness

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) – 12 June 2002 - Three members of the Andani Gate yesterday told the Wuaku Commission inquiring into the Yendi clash that they saw some members of the Abudu family jubilating near the Gbewaa Palace just after the Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II had been murdered. They said while the men were drumming and singing the women whistling and dancing to the music, someone whose name they gave as Yidana from the Abudu family hanged the arm of the late Ya-Naa on his neck with the aid of a rope, daring anyone who was brave enough to come forward for it.

The three witnesses, who spoke Dagbani, which was translated into English, were Iddrisu Mutawakil, a 20-year-old student of Vitting Secondary Technical School at Tamale, Imrana Sayibu, a 24-year-old student of the Tamale Polytechnic, and Bukari Amadu, a 27-year-old student of the Bagabaga Training College, Tamale. According to them, they had taken refuge behind an abandoned prisons quarters at Yendi when they saw members of the Abudu family jubiliating.

The Andanis, who attended the sitting in their numbers, were represented by three lawyers, Mr Charles Hayibor, leading counsel, Mr William Brentuo, (both Accra-based legal practitioners) and Mr Yahaya Seini of Tamale. Unlike the previous sittings, yesterday's was well attended by a cross-section of the people.

Midway into the sitting, the Commanding Officer of the Northern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier Ayiku, and members of the Brong Ahafo Regional Security Council entered the GNAT Hall to listen to the proceedings. Asked by the chairman of the commission, Mr Justice I. N. K. Wuaku, how they came to know that the hand hanging on Yidana's neck was that of the Ya-Naa, the witness said they identified it by the golden chain of the wrist watch and the dress the king wore that day.

Asked about the make of the watch, Bukari Amadu, who claimed to be a servant of the late Ya-Naa, said it was Seiko. Led in evidence by Mr G. K. Owoo, counsel for the commission, Imrana Sayibu stated that he saw the presiding member of the Yendi District Assembly, Mr Mahamadu Andani and his brother dragging the body of the late Ya-Na, while one photographer, known only as Kuums was carrying car tyres.

He added that another person he identified only as Mustapha was seen pouring some liquid, suspected to be petrol on the corpse and soon it was in flames. Sayibu stated that just then, a military armoured car arrived on the scene and the men in the vehicle, believed to be soldiers, asked the jubilant people whether they had not finished with their mission.

He said the people replied in the affirmative and the alleged soldiers told those holding the arms to withdraw, assuring them that "we are expecting some soldiers from Tamale and when they come, we shall shoot them."

Throwing more light on the incident, Sayibu said while in Tamale on March 25, he had a call from a friend called Andani at Yendi who told that tension was mounting at Yendi and that he should come down to collect his satellite dish and send it to Tamale.

He said he arrived at Yendi that evening and slept at the Police station, since some policemen he met in the town had told him that there was a curfew in town. Sayibu said early in the morning of March 26, he went to the Ya-Naa's palace from where he telephoned his friend, Andani to find ways of sending the satellite dish to Tamale.

He said at the palace, he heard gunshots until the evening and that night, they heard the sound of a plane coming towards Gushegu. The witness said the plane landed at an aerodrome and they thought it had come to the aid of the Ya-Na.

Sayibu said the following morning, the firing resume and they saw some houses in flames while sitting in the hall of the Ya-Naa's palace. He said sensing danger, the Ya-Naa sent a distress message through the Wuntengele Na to the commander of the military detachment at Yendi to come to his rescue, but the messenger never returned.

Sayibu said as the palace continued to burn, the Ya-Naa advised the occupants in the room to go out to avoid being burnt. He stated that when some elders came out of the palace, they were shot. Sayibu said the Ya-Naa then went out while the other occupants in the palace including him climbed walls to hide during which they saw the Ya-Naa lying prostrate.

Asked by the counsel for the commission whether the Ya-Na was dead or alive, Sayibu said he could not tell but stated that there were bloodstains in his dress. He said as they decided to run away, they saw Baba Kruga, Baba Zoe, Gon Lana and Abdulai Cheker with guns and one of them shot at his thighs and he fell. Sayibu said he and five others, hid behind some firewood near the warders' quarters until the firing ceased.

He said while there they heard the voice of Yidana that "we have killed the chief," adding that they also saw some people wearing T-shirts over pairs of shorts holding guns who entered a quarters to take iced water".

Sayibu said it was then that they saw the Presiding Member of the Yendi District Assembly and his brother dragging the body of the late Ya-Naa. Asked by a panel member to tell the commission the kind of plane he saw, Sayibu said it was in the night and as there were no lights in the town, he could not find out the type of plane, but it sounded like a helicopter.

To another question as to the kind of guns the men in the common uniform were holding, he said they were rifles similar to those used by the police. Asked by a commission member whether the Andanis retaliated when the Abudus opened fire on them, Sayibu answered in the affirmative. The other two witnesses, Iddrisu Mutawakil and Abukari Amadu corroborated the evidence of Sayibu that the Ya-Na sent two distressed messages to the military but there was no response.

Amadu said on March 23, the District Chief Executive, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani sent a letter through his District Co-ordinating Director to the Ya-Na requesting him to send two representatives to the police station to discuss the security situation at Yendi.

He said when they attended the meeting, the DCE told them that he was going to impose a curfew and they told the DCE that they could not send such a message to the Ya-Na.

Amadu said the Ya-Na sent for the DCE on two occasions the following day but he failed to turn up, compelling the Ya-Naa to invite the Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani to his palace on phone.

He said the regional minister responded immediately and during discussions, he expressed strong reservations about the imposition of the curfew and the failure of the DCE to respond to his calls.

Amadu said after a long discussion between the Ya-Naa and the Regional Minister, the King asked him whether as a Dagbon he had ever heard of a ban on the fire festival or not. He said the regional minister consulted the Bolon Lana after which he lifted the curfew.

Asked by a commission member if outsiders came to fight for the Ya-Naa, Amadu said only Yendi citizens resident in Tamale came to help. Amadu told the commission that when he went to Tamale after the hostilities, he later saw Yidana at the Tamale market and reported him to the military personnel.

They traced him to the Yendi barrier and arrested him together with someone known to him only as Baba and since then he had not heard of them again. Mutawakil on his part, said even though the armoured car of the military detachment at Yendi passed by the Ya-Naa's palace on March 26 and 27, it failed to stop at the palace.

Asked by a commission member why he armed himself with only a cutlass to defend himself while the Abudus were armed with guns, he said there was another person with a locally manufactured gun guarding him at the palace.Sitting continues. - Graphic

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Dagbon Elders To Appear Before Commission

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 10 June 2002 - The Dagbon Traditional Council has decided to appear before the Wuaku commission in Sunyani, but says it will be doing so under protest. The council said in a letter to the President and the Chairman of the three-member commission that government and the Wuaku Commission would be jointly and severally responsible if any member of their family suffers any attack during their travel to Sunyani or after.

The council and the Andani gate had protested against the use of Sunyani as venue for the hearing, because of fears for their security.

GRi…/

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Andani family to appear before Wuaku Commission under protest

Tamale (Northern Region) 08 June 2002- The Andani Gate in the Yendi tragedy has rescinded its decision not to go to Sunyani to testify before the Wuaku Commission of Inquiry into the Yendi tragedy in which about 30 people including the Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, were killed.

In a letter dated 06 June, 2002 and signed by the Regent of Gulkpegu, Naa Ziblim Abdulai and the Yoo-Gbon-Lan, Kpema Mahamadu to President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Chairman of the Commission, they said they were going to Sunyani under protest.

"We want it to be placed on record that the government and the Wuaku Commission of inquiry into the Yendi events of 25th to 27th March 2002 would be jointly and severally responsible if any member of our family suffers any attack during their travel to Sunyani or after there", the letter said.

The Andani family had earlier petitioned President Kufuor to change the venue of the Justice Wuaku Commission of inquiry from Sunyani to Tamale, Kumasi,

Damongo or Nelerigu citing insecurity, accommodation, transportation and feeding problems of their witnesses and other members of the family who might travel to

Sunyani. The petition was turned down.

The letter alleged that during the Eid-Ul-Adha festival, the then Minister of the Interior, Alhaji Malik Yakubu and the Yendi District Chief Executive

Mohammed Habibu Tijani arranged for a contingent of military personnel from Sunyani to Yendi to support Abdulai Mahamadu of the Abudu Gate with the intention "to set up a parallel traditional authority in Yendi to celebrate the festival".

The letters said a Senior Police Officer, who was against Ya-Na Andani when he was in Yendi, had been transferred to Sunyani and that town was the second home of Major Abukari Sulemana, who the Andani Gate had accused of masterminding the assassination of the Ya-Na.

Notwithstanding, the government's assurance of their safety at Sunyani, the letter said; "for those reasons coupled with rumours that members of the Abudu family intended to attack our witnesses make us feel unsafe in Sunyani".

GRi…/

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Ya-Na wanted to get Bolin-Lana assassinated

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo Region) 08 June 2002 - Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon Traditional Area, allegedly brought in warriors from Tamale to Yendi to ensure the assassination of the Bolin-Lana, the Head of the Abudu Gate, a witness told the Wuaku Commission probing the Yendi tragedy on Friday.

Madam Zenaibu Abukari, a Tomato Seller in Yendi and the 15th witness to testify at the Commission's sitting at Sunyani, spoke in Dagbani and was translated into the English Language by an interpreter. She said members of the Abudu family were also to be annihilated according to the plan.

Led in evidence by Mr George Owoo, a retired Chief State Attorney and Counsel for the Commission, Madam Abukari narrated what she knew about the tragedy from the 24 to 27 March.

She said on 24 Sunday March, one of the Ya Na's three wives, whose name she could only give as "Litogo", came to buy 10,000 cedis worth of tomatoes from her in a house near the Gbewaa Palace.

Madam Zenaibu said in a chat, the Chief's wife declared the intention of members of the Andani Gate not to allow the imposition of a curfew by the Yendi District Security Committee (DISEC) in Yendi. According to her the chief's wife told her that even if the Ya-Na accepted the imposition of the curfew, they (other members of the Andani Gate) would not agree to it.

Witness said the wife quoted the Ya-Na as having said that if Yendi did not turn into Osama Bin Ladin's Afghanistan, then he could not be called the son of his mother.

She said the woman came again on the morning of Monday to purchase 20,000 cedis worth of tomatoes and informed her that Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama had telephoned the chief, from Tamale that he was sending some fighters to Ya-Na from Tamale.

Madam Zenaibu said when the King's wife left a man came from the Palace to buy 1,000 cedis worth of iced-water from her. When I asked this man the cause of a loud laughter by a crowd at the palace, he replied that the warriors, who had arrived, had given the Ya-Na the assurance that they would go and cut off the Bolin-Lana's head and bring it to him, she said.

Witness said the man advised her to flee with her dependants to safety. Not long after she heard the continuous sound of gunshots from the palace, she said. Madam Zenaibu added that all the fighters slept in front of the palace on Monday till Tuesday morning when they went into the palace to eat.

When asked by Counsel if she heard anything about the Ya-Na on Wednesday, 27 March, she replied in the negative. In an answer to a question by Mr Owoo if she believed what the man, who bought the iced-water told her, she answer in the affirmative.

The Chief Linguist of the Abudu Gate, Iddrisu Iddi, who testified earlier as a witness had also said that the Ya-Na brought warriors from Tamale and stationed them at his palace.

He said they (warriors) fired sporadically from the palace. When counsel asked if he saw the warriors, witness replied in the negative, saying that it was some members of the Abudu Gate who told him so. Na Iddi explained that though he did not believe it, he became convinced when firing started from the palace.

When counsel asked what happened at Yendi in the course of preparing to celebrate the fire festival, he alleged that the Ya-Na had said he would not allow the Abudu Gate to celebrate the festival.

"What I heard was that the Ya-Na had said if we (Abudus) were preparing to celebrate the "Bugum (Fire) festival unlike the Eid-Ul-Adha that he (Ya-Na) allowed us to observe, this time, they (Andanis) would carry out bodies because they would not forgive us".

Witness told the Commission that hearing the intention of the Andanis to attack them, he summoned the elders of the Abudu Gate to inform the District

Security Council (DISEC) about this development at the Divisional Police

Headquarters.

"We told the DISEC at the meeting that, since they were the government's representatives in the District, they should also investigate the allegation", he said. Chief Linguist Iddi alleged that the firing by the warriors in the Ya-Na's palace was directed at their (Abudus') houses.

When Counsel asked if on the Wednesday morning he heard of the Ya-Na, Iddi who gave his age as about 70 said, "I only heard that the Ya-Na had travelled to Tamale through a Radio Savannah announcement by Lawyer Ibrahim Mahama". (Radio Savannah is a Ghana Broadcasting Corporation FM radio station in Tamale).

At this juncture Mr Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, Commission Chairman, asked if the Abudu's fired back when the Andanis were firing from the Ya-Na's palace to which witness replied that they fired back on the Monday. Asked about the number of Abudus, who were killed during the exchange of fire, witness said that only two persons - Mahama and Isahaku- were those he knew died.

He added that one Iddi, who also sustained gunshot wounds during the hostilities, later died at the Yendi hospital. Asked by the Chairman about the registration number of the vehicle that conveyed the warriors to the Ya-Na's palace, Linguist Iddi said he could not tell.

Counsel, however, pointed out to him that in his (witness) statement to the

Police, he gave the registration number of the vehicle, as AS 9694 C.Other witnesses who also appeared before the Commission were Mahamadu Zibrim, a farmer, Abdulai Iddiris, regent of Zehi, Madam Amaama Abdulai, a kenkey seller and 25-year-old Zibrilla Mahama, a farmer, all of Yendi.

The Commission adjourned sitting till Tuesday 11 June. Later, Counsel told the press that, all the six witnesses were from the Abudu Gate. He explained that they were given the chance to give evidence because a witness from the Andani Gate, who was expected to appear before the Commission, had not arrived in Sunyani. Mr Owoo explained, however, that, the witnesses were not being called according to a specific order but rather based on whoever was available.

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Ya-Na Andani accused govt of taking sides with Abudu Gate - Ex-Minister

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 07 June 2002 - Mr Prince Imoru Alhassan Andani, former Northern Regional Minister, on Wednesday said Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Over Lord of Dagbon Traditional Area, accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of taking sides with his opponents.

Mr Andani was testifying as the sixth witness at the Wuaku Commission, which is probing the Yendi tragedy, in Sunyani. Mr George Owoo, a retired Chief State Attorney and Counsel for the Commission, who led him in evidence had asked the Ex-Minister what he knew about the disturbances at Yendi and what he did officially to prevent it.

Mr Andani explained that he heard about the disturbances on Sunday, 24 March when he returned from Accra from Mr Issah Ketekewu, Deputy Regional Minister, who briefed him about the situation.

He said Mr Ketekewu indicated his intention to leave for Accra after the briefing for a medical examination. The Ex-Minister said on the same day he received a message that Ya-Na Andani needed to see him urgently so he drove to Yendi but went first to the residence of Mr Mohammed Habibu Tijani, Yendi District Chief Executive, where he saw a District Security Committee (DISEC) meeting in progress.

He said the Committee told him about the looming crisis and the possibility of a clash between members of the Andani and Abudu Gates to Ya-Na Skin in connection with the celebration of the impending Bugum (Fire) festival.

Mr Andani, who identified himself as a director of Management Aid (MAID), a Tamale based non-governmental organisation (NGO), said the DCE informed him that he DCE had also been invited by the Ya-Na and advised that it was not safe for him to go.

He said he told the DCE that in order not for the government to be misconstrued as favouring one side he decided to go and listen to the Ya-Na. Mr Andani said the Ya-Na told him that he had heard that a curfew was to be imposed to coincide with the Bugum festival. "It seems that your government is one sided", the Ex-Minister quoted the Ya-Na as having said.

The Ex-Minister said the Ya-Na alleged that whenever government officials came to Yendi they visited the Bolin Lana, Leader of the Abudu Gate, to greet him as well. The Bolin Lana is the eldest son of former Ya-Na Mohammed Abdulai. He said Ya-Na interpreted the calls on the Bolin Lana by the government officials as recognition of two Over Lords of Dagbon.

Mr Andani said he told "the Ya-Na that that claim or suspicion was a misconception, because as a party in government, we recognise all opinion leaders in every community nation-wide".

The former Minister said at that point the Ya-Na retorted that; "In February I allowed the Abudu Gate to also celebrate the Eid Ul Adha when he (Ya Na) had already protested to me. He explained that the Ya-Na had indeed protested against the celebration of the Eid Ul Adha but he managed to broker a compromise at meeting he held with him.

He said at meeting with the Ya-Na he "asked the Ya-Na to point out what aspects of the Eid Ul Adha celebration by any other group would contradict and undermine the authority or usurp the power of his kingship".

He said the Ya-Na Andani replied that it was the carrying of the gods. Mr Andani said to ensure peace in the area he directed the DCE to talk to the Abudu Gate to celebrate only the religious aspect of the festival without carrying the gods, adding that they obliged and the Eid Ul Adha festival was celebrated peacefully.

The former Minister said Ya-Na Andani asked him to convince him (Ya-Na) that the government was a balanced one and that he should assure him that whatever was done would be fair to both parties.

He said be asked the Ya-Na to give an assurance as a guarantee that the celebration of the fire festival would be peaceful, to which he obliged. Mr Andani said the DCE accompanied him to meet the Bolin Lana and his elders to inform them of what transpired between them and the Ya-Na.

He said the Abudu Gate was not happy with the stance of Ya-Na to continue with the celebration of the fire festival. The Ex-Minister said the Abudus accused the Ya-Na of not being fair to them and that he had cheated them for far too long. Mr Andani said he and the DCE went to confer with the Ya-Na again and the king reiterated his assurance that the celebration would be peaceful.

The former Minister told the Commission that on Monday, 25 March they had a report from the DISEC that the situation in Yendi had become so tense that for security reasons it was not appropriate to allow the festival to be celebrated.

Mr Andani said following the report a Regional Security Council (REGSEC) meeting was convened and the curfew that had been lifted earlier on Sunday was re-imposed and this was communicated to the DISEC at Yendi and an announcement to that effect was carried on Radio Savannah, a Ghana Broadcasting Corporation FM station in Tamale.

He said due to the assurance that had been given to him by the Regional and Yendi District Security Commanders that the order would be enforced to avert any clash, he proceeded to Accra on Tuesday to notify government authorities about the need to commence reconciliation talks to resolve the differences between the two Gates.

"I was at the IGP's (Inspector General of Police) office on Wednesday trying together to identify some leaders of the two Gates to be invited for the reconciliation talks when I heard of the Ya-Na's death", Mr Andani said.

Mr Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, Chairman of the Commission, then asked the Ex-Minister about the reception of the elders and other members of the family at the palace when the Ya-Na summoned him there. "They were unfriendly and said all sorts of things that I was a royal and was showing disrespect to the king", the Ex-Minister replied.

He, however, added that despite that reaction, "I was focused because I was there for business". When Professor Kwesi Yankah, a member of the Commission, asked where he was when the REGSEC sought permission from the Minister of the Interior to impose the curfew, Mr Andani replied that, he was then in Accra on official duties.

Mr Andani explained that he ordered the lifting of the curfew that was earlier on imposed based on the command given by the Ya-Na that he the king would bear responsibility for any clash.

The Ya-Na needed to celebrate the festival to pacify the gods, he said, explaining that, as the king and custodian of the gods, it was his sole preserve to perform the pacification rites.

Mr Andani emphasised that the lifting of the earlier curfew was not intended to fuel the mounting tension because he was conscious of his position as a minister and could not have done anything to discredit the government. "I studied the situation to see if the lifting of the curfew would be in the interest of the government before I carried it out. By using my discretional powers," he said.

When asked why he went to Accra on 26 March against the background of brewing tension instead of using the telephone to relay the information to Accra, the Ex-Minister replied that the trip was to begin a process of reconciliation.

"I felt the issues were sensitive, so it was unsafe to discuss them on phone, hence I deemed it necessary to go to Accra to confer with the appropriate government officials."

Mr Issah Ketekewu, Deputy Northern Regional Minister and seventh witness, told the Commission that on Friday 22 March, he returned to Tamale after the commissioning of an European Union sponsored project at Walewale to learn that a letter from the Yendi DISEC signed by the DCE on 21 March and addressed to the Regional Minister indicated that the fire festival had been postponed.

He said in view of the region's background as a conflict prone area, the REGSEC granted the request of the DISEC but because the final decision to grant such a request rested with the President or Minister of the Interior, they informed Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, the Ex-Minister for the Interior.

Mr Ketekewu said Alhaji Yakubu requested for a formal letter, which was despatched immediately for his consideration. That same day, at about 9pm hours Alhaji Yakubu faxed a reply, signed by him that the curfew order should take effect; the Deputy Minister said.

He said the REGSEC on Saturday 23 March met on Alhaji Yakubu's letter and delivered a copy to the DISEC at Yendi to carry on with the curfew order. A faxed copy of the letter was tendered in evidence. The Deputy Regional Minister said he left for Accra on Sunday 24 March after he had briefed the Regional Minister about the situation.

He said on his return to Tamale at 4pm on Wednesday, 27 March he saw a REGSEC meeting being chaired by the Tamale Municipal Chief Executive and it was at that meeting that he heard that there had been a factional clash at Yendi and the Ya-Na had even died.

Mr Ketekewu told the Commission that the Gulkpe Na's Regent, the traditional ruler of Tamale, appeared at the meeting with the request that the curfew order should be lifted in the Tamale Municipality because the conflict was only in Yendi. The Deputy Minister said he did not grant the request on the grounds that the imposition was an order from the government so they had to abide by it.

Earlier on, the fourth and fifth Commission witnesses, Lance Corporal Lennox Agor, a driver of the Mowag in Yendi and Lance Corporal Afetenu, a gunner, both of the Yendi Military Detachment testified before the Commission.

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Wuaku commission continues sitting

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 05 June 2002- The Late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani on the morning of Wednesday 27 March, 2002 sent an SOS instruction through one Abdulai Zibrim to the military detachment for his rescue from his Gbewaa Palace, Mr Mohammed Habib Tijani, Yendi District Chief Executive told the Justice Wuaku Commission on Tuesday.

Mr Tijani was one of three witnesses who gave evidence before the three-member commission, which is probing the circumstances of the Yendi tragedy.

The others are, Captain Abraham Akroffi, Commanding Officer at the Yendi Military detachment at the time of the incident, but now with the Six Battalion in Tamale and Lieutenant David Laga Billa, who was the acting commander of the detachment before the captain assumed duty.

Led in evidence by Mr George Owoo, a retired Chief State Attorney and counsel for the commission, Mr Tijani said the Yendi Divisional Police Commander and the district director of the BNI also came with the same SOS message.

The DCE said, however, that there was no immediate response to the Late Ya-Na’s request because; Captain Akroffi had explained that a Mowag (armoured car) that could convey military personnel for the rescue mission had no battery.

When they eventually had a battery and went to the palace it was on fire and the Ya-Na was nowhere to be found, the DCE added.Mr Tijani said 28 dead bodies were found at the palace, excluding that of the Ya-Na.

Recounting the situation in Yendi between 24 to 27 March as well as the circumstances preceding the carnage, Mr Tijani said, it came to the notice of the District Security Committee (DISEC) on 23 March that there was mounting tension in Yendi due to the impending "Fire Festival" that was to be held from 24 to 27 March.

There were accusations and counter - accusations from both Andani and Abudu gates that each of them was preparing to attack the other during the celebration, he said. The DCE added that it was also realised that arms had been distributed to individuals who had hidden them.

He said the meeting, therefore, decided on two alternatives to avoid the escalation of violence during the celebration. The meeting settled on either to beef up the number of security personnel in Yendi and its environs within the period or ban the festival outright and impose a curfew, Mr Tijani said.

The meeting agreed on the banning of the festival and the imposition of curfew but permission had to be sought from the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) for implementation. Mr Tijani said a letter from his office was drafted to that effect and he accordingly went to Tamale the next day to the second in command of Sixth Battalion and the acting regional police commander to inform them of the volatile situation in Yendi and gave them copies of the letter

In view of the absence of both the regional minister and his deputy, the regional co-ordinating director took the copies of the letter on their behalf, he said. Mr Tijani said the three officers he met assured him that a prompt action would be taken to save the situation, "so, I returned to Yendi to wait for the response".

He said on 24 March, Mr Zibrim, Regional Purchasing Officer, brought a letter to him from the Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Issah Ketekewu that the imposition of the curfew should stand.

A copy of this letter, dated 22 March and signed by Charles Abass, Regional Co-ordinating Director (RCD), for the regional minister and which was addressed to the Minister of Interior, was tendered in evidence.

Mr Tijani said a copy of the letter was also sent to the Yendi Police Station and an immediate meeting, was convened at the office of the divisional police commander for the implementation of the decision.

Mr Tijani said when the Ya-Na was informed about this development he (Ya-Na) despatched a team led by one Razak to ascertain its authenticity. Ya-Na's delegation, however, rejected the decision by the DISEC, saying there was no way the committee could ban the fire festival.

Mr Tijani said when the DISEC meeting asked the delegation to convey the decision to the Ya-Na and wait for further explanation from the DISEC, they said they could not carry that message to the late chief.

Despite citing instances that, for the sake of peace, some festivals at a point in time were postponed in the Yendi and Tamale areas, Ya-Na's delegation did not budge so "we excused them and they left", the DCE said.

Mr Tijani narrated that some leaders of the Abudu Gate understood the DISEC’s decision, and concurred that if it was meant to protect lives and properties, then it could be implemented.

He said, the next day, the DISEC met Ya-Na and his elders at the Gbewaa Palace and explained the imposition of the curfew to them. Later in the day when the DISEC met the Regional Minister, Prince Imoro Andani in Yendi to brief him about the situation, he decided to see the Ya-Na alone, the DCE said.

He added that the minister returned from his meeting with Ya-Na to meet members of the DISEC at his (DCE) residence and announced that the curfew had been cancelled and that the celebration could go on.

Mr Tijani said the minister was told of the fear of members of Abudu Gate that the Ya-Na was planning an attack on them during the festival and that some people had even laid ambush for that operation.

He said the minister also replied that the Ya-Na had also told him that members of the Abudu Gate had planned an imminent attack on members of the

Andani Gate, but both were dismissed as speculations. The minister's decision did not go down well with the Abudu Gate as the emotions and tempers of some of their elders and youth were aroused.

The DCE said, the regional minister later informed the policemen deployed in Yendi, that the decision to impose the curfew had been rescinded and that the ban on the festival had also been lifted. He said on Monday 25 March, he had a telephone call at his office from someone that there was firing of gunshots around the palaces of the Andani and Abudu gates.

‘I therefore, used a bush path to go and informed the army detachment commander and the police divisional commander of the situation, so at around 5.30 pm, when we were trying to get the regional minister for re-enforcement of security personnel from Tamale, the telephone lines went off, he said.

The DCE said on Tuesday 26 March, the DISEC held a meeting in his office to adopt a strategy to control the violence but all efforts proved futile as the police reported that they could not open their armoury whilst the army also said only nine military men were in Yendi at the time.

The DCE said because he wanted to remain neutral, he took Mr Mustapha Imoru and Mr Hamid Abubakar Usiff from the Andani and Abudu gates respectively as witnesses to inform a meeting of the REGSEC, chaired by the regional minister about the situation in Yendi.

Mr Tijani said back to Tamale at 6.15 pm on the 26 March the safest place they could go was the police station as there were sporadic shootings from the Gbewaa (Andani) and Mohammed Abudulai's (Abudu) palaces, which are about 200 metres apart.

He said at 8.30 pm the divisional police commander and the district BNI director accompanied him to Captain Akroffi to see if the army could intervene in the situation. Captain Akroffi said there were only 11 soldiers whilst the armoured vehicle was not in good condition, the DCE added.

"On the morning of Wednesday 27 March, three army officers in a pick up vehicle came to escort my family and I to the barracks where I saw Zibrim from the Ya-Na's palace with the rescue message," Mr Tijani said.

Mr Tijani said back to Tamale at 6.15 pm on the 26 March, the safest place they could go was the police station as there were sporadic shootings from the

Gbewaa (Andani) and Mohammed Abudulai’s (Abudu) palaces, which are about 200 metres apart.

Lieutenant Billa confirmed that the information to the DISEC meeting on the 23 March about the looming tension and the possibility of a clash between the two gates over the celebration of the fire festival was a BNI report. He corroborated all that transpired at that meeting, adding that, the next day, 24 March, he sent a situational report to his superiors at the Sixth Battalion in Tamale.

Lieutenant Billa added that since there were only 14 soldiers at the detachment, he requested for re-enforcement but the response came in the evening of March 26 with the arrival of an officer and 41 men at the camp.

He said on Monday 25 March, there was intermittent firing of gunshots in the Yenditownship, so, the Mowag was despatched to the town to scare people away and to prevent further firing. Asked by the commission's counsel if the Mowag was in good condition, Lt. Billa answered in the affirmative.He, however, explained that the Mowag was using a borrowed battery because its battery was being re-charged.

When questioned by Professor Kwesi Yankah, a member of the commission, if the military had its own facility to charge its batteries, Lt. Billa replied in the affirmative, but added that, that was in Tamale but not in Yendi.

When asked by Mr Owoo if Lt. Billa briefed him on the situation at Yendi, on assuming duty on 26 March, Captain Akroffi said both the Lieutenant and the divisional police commander gave him up to date security information about the place.

He explained that, sometime after the celebration of the Muslim El Dul Adhar festival this year, security men were deployed to provide security to the Ya-Na at the palace and its precincts.

Captain Akroffi said, however, that the Ya-Na rejected the idea and sent the securitymen away, saying that he did not need any protection and that if the need for their services arose, he would call for them. The captain said the Ya-Na had in the process summoned the police commander and accused him that he was a sympathiser of the Abudu Gate.

Asked by counsel about the number of men when he took over the command, the captain replied that they were one officer and 11 men. When Mr Justice Wuaku posed the question if he was given any hand over notes, the captain responded in the negative. He, however, explained that it was the practice so he did not ask for it and more so there was no time to prepare it.

When the commission's counsel asked about the steps he took to control the situation at the time he took over, Captain Akroffi replied that firing was on-going so they intensified mobile patrols with the Mowag. When asked if he called for re-enforcement, the captain explained that one officer and 41 men arrived in the evening of 26 March but the situation had degenerated to a level that service providers could not even attend to duty.

We intensified the patrols by deploying some men to protect personalities in the district, including the DCE's residence, the hospital and other places. Mr Justice Wuaku, chairman of the commission, announced that, sitting would continue tomorrow, Wednesday. He explained that excluding Monday, sitting would be continuous from every Tuesday to Friday till the end of its proceedings.

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Wuaku Commission assures chiefs of protection

Accra (Greater Accra) 04 June 2002- The Commission of inquiry into the Yendi chieftaincy conflict, sitting in Sunyani on Monday assured both invited and uninvited chiefs who wish to appear before it as witnesses of maximum security protection.

They would also be provided with transportation, accommodation and meals. According to a release from the Information Services Department, signed by its acting Director, Mr James Ampadu, the assurance was contained in a statement issued by the Wuaku Commission on the conflict in reference to a petition by the Andani Gate, a party in the Yendi matter, requesting that Sunyani venue for the inquiring body should be changed.

The statement, which was signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Justice I.N.K. Wuaku said any chief who wanted to give evidence on his own accord should notify the body to that effect. It said separate transportation arrangements to and from Sunyani would be made available for the parties and adequate security would be provided at all times.

The statement indicated that the Commission was of the opinion that, the venue was the most suitable in terms of security, transportation and accommodation. The commission, therefore, decided that Sunyani should remain the venue for its sittings.

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Commission says no to Andani Gate

Accra (Greater Accra) 04 June 2002 - The Wuaku Commission set up by government to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of the Ya Na Yakubu Andani and about 40 others in the Yendi clashes says Sunyani will remain the venue for its sittings. This is inspite of the insistence by the Andani Gate, one of the factions in the dispute that the venue should be changed. Consequently, the commission, which has one month to complete its work, has decided to begin sitting in Sunyani on Tuesday.

In arriving at the decision not to change the venue, the commission was of the opinion that Sunyani remains the most suitable venue in terms of security, transportation and accommodation. Following the petition sent to the President by the Andani Gate that a new venue be chosen for the sitting since Sunyani was not convenient for them, the commission chaired by Justice I.N.K. Wuaku convened a meeting with representatives of the Andani Gate in a bid to iron out all differences.

But a release issued by the commission after the meeting said the Andanis maintained at the meeting that they have nothing to add to or subtract from the petition they submitted to the President about the change of venue. The release said a Sunyani based legal practitioner, Kwasi Boakye who stood in for the Andanis had little to say since according to him, he was given "limited instructions" to follow at the meeting. He could not tell whether the Andanis have decided to boycott the sittings or not and could also not make concrete statement as to the next line of action of the Andanis.

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Yendi Commission tours conflict area

Yendi (Northern Region) 2 June 2002 - Members of the commission of inquiry into the Yendi crisis visited Yendi on Thursday to see the extend of damage during the attack on the Ya-Na's palace between 25 and 27 March in which Ya-Na Yakubu Andani was killed.

The commission, led by its chairman, retired Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice Isaac Newton Wuaku, saw the body of the Ya-Na at the Yendi Hospital mortuary, the destroyed palace and graves of those who died during the conflict. They also visited "Kating Duu", the sacred place where new chiefs are enskinned and the mausoleum of Dagbon Kings. Members of the commission declined to be briefed by the Yendi District Chief Executives, Mr Habib Tiyani and also insisted that only members of the commission, security personnel and the press should follow them during their tour of Yendi. They also refused to take lunch provided by the Yendi District Assembly.

The commission measured the distance between the police station and the palace and the military barracks and the palace. The Northern Regional Police Commander, Kwaku Vincent Dzakpata, showed the commission places where dead bodies were found including the place where the body of the Ya-Na was burnt. At the palace, which is riddled with bullets holes, the commanding officer of the Sixth Battalion of Infantry, Lt-Col Dela Sakyi, said both automatic rifles and shot guns were used during the attack.

Briefing the press later in Tamale, Justice Wuaku appealed to the media not to hurt the sensibility of the parties involved in their reportage. On the petition by the Dagbon Traditional Council and the Andani family to the President to change the venue of the sitting of the commission, Justice Wuaku said the commission would meet representatives of the Andani family and the Dagbon Traditional Council to settle on the venue. He said the issue of the venue would be sorted out before the commission resumes it sitting.

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Commission on Yendi conflict starts work

Sunyani (Brong Ahafo) 29 May 2002 - The Chairman of the three-member commission probing the Yendi tragedy; Mr. Justice Isaac Newton Kwaku Wuaku on Wednesday pledged that members would perform the task with transparency and open mindedness.

"My colleagues and I assure all those who will come forward to testify before us that we shall deal with all facts and information we receive with open mind.'' Mr. Justice Wuaku, a retired Supreme Court judge who was speaking at the commencement of the Commission's work in Sunyani, gave the assurance that his team would deal with all persons with fairness to be able to come out with findings devoid of bias or prejudice against or in sympathy for anyone.

Other members of the Commission, set up by President John Kufuor April 26, are Professor Kwasi Yankah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana, Legon, and Mrs. Florence Brew, an educationist.

Counsel for the Commission is Mr. George Owuoo, a retired Chief State Attorney with Mars Regina Abotsi, as secretary. The Commission has one month to complete its work.

The Commission chairman emphasised that the Commission, according to its terms of reference, was not to conduct a trial of any person but to gather facts by listening to all persons, who have relevant information to assist with its work.

''The mandate of the Commission does not extend to delving into the long standing Yendi Ya-Na Skin dispute or the respective claims of parties to that dispute.'' He said any person, who would appear before the Commission to testify would be doing so as a witness.

Mr. Justice Wuaku appealed to all persons with information or facts to assist the work of the Commission to freely come forward and testify. He said any witness wishing to be represented by a lawyer was entitled to do so, adding that the counsel for the Commission would assist any witness, who could not afford a lawyer but wished to have one.

Witnesses would be examined first by counsel for the Commission; the witness's own lawyer may also examine the witness. Indeed unlike in a trial, a counsel could cross-examine his own witness. He appealed to the people of Dagbon to exercise maximum restraint and allow tempers to cool down for reason to prevail.

Justice Wuaku further appealed to witnesses appearing before the Commission to tell the facts and information within their knowledge but not tell deliberate falsehood or misinformation. "We are to enquire into a matter of great importance not only to Dagbon but also to the whole nation," he said.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo said the Commission was one of the most important bodies in the country's history. He expressed the hope that the Commission would work assiduously, in a transparent manner and come out with objective, sound and accurate findings about the crisis.

Brong-Ahafo Regional and Acting Northern Region Minister, Ernest Akubuor Debrah, urged all those invited to appear before the Commission and those genuinely committed to bringing about reconciliation in Yendi to be very honest and sincere with their submissions to the Commission.

Among those present were Mr. Issah Ketekewu, Deputy Northern Region Minister, members of the Brong Ahafo Region Security Council and Mr. Mohammed Habibu Tijani, District Chief Executive for Yendi.

Meanwhile, the Government has stuck to Sunyani as the venue for the three-member commission probing the Yendi tragedy and said the decision would only change if there were compelling reasons to do so.

Mr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako, Assistant Government Spokesman, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that Sunyani was chosen because of its proximity to the north and general suitability for the security of members of the Commission and people who might want to testify.

Mr. Amponsah-Bediako was reacting to a petition by the Dagbon Traditional Council and the Andani family to the President to change the venue to Tamale, Damongo, Nalerigu or Kumasi, citing security reasons.

"The Northern Military Command and the Police Service are on high alert to provide security to all stakeholders in the inquiry and no one should entertain any fear." Damongo and Nalerigu are within the Northern Region and the emotions of the parties to the conflict can come into play in these areas. Kumasi is also very far away from the conflict area. Sunyani was, therefore, chosen after serious consideration," he said.

Mr. Amponsah-Bediako said government was not down playing the immense threat of the Yendi crisis to national security, hence the huge expenditure to ensure peace and order. "These monies could have been used to improve the socio-economic development of the north. I, therefore, appeal to people with vital information about the crisis to provide it to the Commission so that the truth would be unveiled to help avoid recurrence.

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Yendi crisis committee starts work

Accra (Greater Accra) 7 May 2002 - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday asked members of the three-member Judicial Committee of Inquiry into the Yendi crisis, to make the cause of the crisis public and bring the perpetrators to book.

He said although some calm had been restored in the Dagbon Traditional Area, the Committee should investigate the crisis thoroughly and submit a report to government within a month. President Kufuor, who inaugurated the Committee at the Castle, Osu and administered the official oath and oath of secrecy to members of the committee, gave the assurance that offenders, when identified would be made to face the law.

Mr Justice Isaac Newton Kwaku Wuaku, retired Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of the Committee said the magnitude of the crisis required patience and circumspection to come out with a good report, adding that the committee would be candid as to what happened and come out with a report that would be acceptable to the citizenry. "We would endeavour to achieve the desired result".

Other members of the Committee were, Professor Kwesi Yankah, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ghana, Legon and Mrs Florence Brew, an Educationist. Between 25 - 27 March, this year there were clashes between the two main gates in the Dagbon Traditional Area on succession to the Ya Na Skin during their annual Fire Festival.

About 40 people, including the Ya Na Yakubu Andani II, lost their lives and property worth several million cedis as well as the Gbewaa Palace at Yendi were vandalised and destroyed.

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Commission to probe Yendi clashes

Yendi, which led the death of the Ya Na Yakubu Andani of the Dagbon Traditional Area and 29 others. Members of the commission are Justice I. N. K. Wuaku, a retired Supreme Court Judge; Professor Kwesi Yankah of the University of Ghana and Mrs. Florence Brew, an Educationist. They have one month to submit a report to the President for consideration and appropriate action.

A statement signed by Government Spokesperson, Kwabena Agyepong said "the President is satisfied that it is in the public interest that a commission is appointed to carry out this all important assignment." Both the Andani and Abudu factions of the Dagbon area called for the establishment of an independent enquiry to investigate the clashes.

The Abudus who were blamed for the clashes have denied the allegations. The Andanis have accused certain government officials of complicity in the clashes. Two Ministers of State, Alhaji Malik Alhassan of the Interior Ministry and Prince Imoro Andani of the Northern Region resigned following the clashes.

GRi…/

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