[ 2017-01-25 ]

Parliament Begins Probe Into Alleged Police Brutality
Parliament has opened a probe into allegations of
repeated use of brutal force by the Police during
riot control situations, leading to deaths and
injuries.

The probe follows an oral presentation on the
floor of the House Tuesday by Member of Parliament
for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarack, who narrated the story
of how a 19-year-old constituent who was shot by
police last month.

He indicated that apart from an appropriate
compensation for the victim, the larger issue of
Police needs to be looked into.

Speaking on the floor of the House, the Kumbungu
Legislator said in December 2016, the 19-year-old
boy, Ganiru Abdul Rahman, was returning home from
school when he was caught in a standoff between
rioting youth of Dalun and Police.

He was hit in the leg by a stray bullet fired by
the police, he told the House.

The teenager has been admitted at the Tamale West
Hospital where he is receiving treatment, the MP
revealed.

“I have been to the hospital to see the extent
of his injury and commiserate with his family. I
believe the whole house will join me in expressing
revulsion and call on the police administration to
institute an enquiry into the matter,” he said.

Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Oquaye then
referred the matter of mounting allegations of
sporadic shooting by the Police during riot
situations to Parliament’s Committee on Interior
for further investigations.

Minister Designate for Interior and Lawra
Legislator, Ambrose Dery, has assured the House
that reports of Police brutality will be given
dealt with under his leadership.  Reports of
alleged brutality by the institution charged with
public safety are common.

During a 2015 demonstration by Let My Vote Count
Alliance (LMVCA) to push for a clean electoral
roll, Police allegedly beat up some of the
demonstrators.

One demonstrator lost an eye when a teargas
canister hit his face as Police moved to control
the crowd.

Although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) called for
a probe into the incident, it was not heeded.

Source - Myjoyonline.com

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