ACCRA, July 18, 2018, (GJA) – The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has welcomed a directive by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations of the assault case against Latif Iddrisu of the Multimedia Group Ltd from the Cantonments Police.
The directive by the IGP was contained in the second of two press releases issued by the Police a few days after the GJA had announced its boycott of a workshop on police-media relations, citing the ‘tardy’ manner the police had handled the assault case on Latif, and also serving notice of other actions to seek justice for the broadcast journalist.
“We find this directive very reassuring and hope it would yield positive results,” the GJA said in a press statement signed by its President, Affail Monney, and issued in Accra Wednesday.
While assuring the police of its fullest support and co-operation in the investigations, and underlining its commitment to strengthening police-media relations, the GJA affirmed its resolve to pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.
“We wish to state categorically that the GJA will not blink an eye on this case until justice is delivered to Latif,” the statement said.
Below is the full press statement by the GJA.
By Peter Crabbe
July 18, 2018
IGP’s Directive To CID To Take Over Investigations Of Assault Against Latif Iddrisu Laudable
The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has followed with keen interest developments on the handling of the case of assault against Latif Iddrisu of Multimedia Group Ltd by the Ghana Police Service since the GJA announced a boycott of a workshop on promoting police-media relations held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, and wishes to comment on same as follows:
1. Following the announcement of the boycott at a news conference held on July 6, 2018, and in a space of four days, the police issued two press releases, the first issued on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, and the second on Friday, July 13, 2018, with both seeking to clarify the matter.
2. The GJA welcomes the directive by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to the CID Headquarters to take over investigations of the assault case from the Cantonments Police as contained in the second press release. We find this directive very reassuring and hope it would yield positive results.
3. In the first press release titled, “UPDATE: ASSAULT ON JOY NEWS REPORTER LATIF IDDRIS”, and signed by the Director-General of Public Affairs, ACP David Eklu, the police claimed in paragraph 8 that, “He [Latif] was also issued a Police medical report form, which he is yet to return to Police.” This claim was false because, according to Latif, he returned the medical report form to the police on the very day he filed his written statement.
4. The GJA is happy to learn that in the second press release titled, “RE – UPDATE: ASSAULT ON JOY NEWS REPORTER LATIF IDDRIS”, and signed by the Director of Public Affairs, DSP Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, the police admitted the false claim referenced above when it stated in paragraph 2 that, “The CID headquarters’ perusal of the case docket shows that Mr. Iddris has returned the medical form issued to him by Police”. This honest admission of falsehood suggests to us that the police now, more than ever before as construed by the false claims in the first press release, is committed to investigating the assault case.
5. While assuring the police of our fullest support and co-operation in this matter, and also our commitment to strengthening police-media relations, we wish to state categorically that the GJA will not blink an eye on this case until justice is delivered to Latif.
6. At its news conference on July 6, 2018, the GJA called on the IGP to expedite action on investigations into the assault case, failing which it might be compelled to petition the Vice President in his capacity as Chairman of the Police Council, or the President himself, or seek redress at national and international human rights forums on the matter.
Affail Monney
(President)
TO ALL MEDIA HOUSES