The re-arrested 13 members of the vigilante group, Delta Force, who were illegally freed in court by some of their members in Kumasi last Thursday are to be prosecuted for escaping from lawful custody, the Police has announced.
Aside the criminal charges already against them, the Police in the Ashanti Region are expected to charge them under Section 226 (C) of Act 29 for ‘escaping or permitting oneself to be rescued from lawful custody’
Eight other members of the pro New Patriotic Party vigilante group arrested by the Police for allegedly aiding the escape of the 13 and interfered in court proceedings, are also to be charged for resisting arrest and rescue under section 226 (1B) of Act 29 as well as other charges.
Inspector General of Police, David Asante Appeatu who made these known at a news conference in Kumasi Saturday morning condemned the violent act of the group, which has renewed calls for stamping out acts of political vigilantism in the country.
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“The incident is unfortunate, reprehensible, un-Ghanaian and the Police service wishes to condemn it in no uncertain terms. Fortunately, all the 13accused persons have been re-arrested and are currently on remand in prison custody,” Mr Asante Appeatu told journalists.
The IGP said the Police will charge the suspects after investigations into the matter, which is currently ongoing, are concluded.
He assured that the Police will smoke out all those involved in the violent act that he said has the tendency to damage Ghana’s revered image.
“The Police will continue to pursue all those who played a part in this unfortunate act. This act of lawlessness has the propensity to cast a slur on the hard won image of our dear nation. As a nation we have come very far in our democratic pursuit and we cannot afford to slip,” he assured.
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Meanwhile, he said the Delta Force episode will shape Police operations in the country, adding he has already started reviewing some of the provisions in Police instructions geared towards “making [the Police] operational regulations a living document capable of meeting the challenges of the times”
Background
Members of the Delta Force, a pro New Patriotic Party group, in March assaulted President Akufo-Addo’s newly-appointed Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, George Agyei who they said did not contribute to the victory of the party, hence cannot work with him.
The action was condemned, pushing the Police in the Ashanti Region to act by arresting 13 of the group members believed to be mastermind of the criminal act.
The arrested were subsequently arraigned on assault charges at a Kumasi Circuit Court last Thursday but some other members of the group who were not happy with the court’s decision to remand them threatened the judge, caused destruction to property and freed the 13 accused persons.
Eight members of the group whose action led to the escape of the 13 were later arrested by the Police.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of the 13 fugitives who later turned themselves in to the police and were re-arrested and remanded in prison custody.
By Stephen Kwabena Effah|3news.com|Ghana