Managing Director of the State Transport Company (STC), Nana Akomea, says to unravel the mystery behind the killing of late social media activist, Ibrahim Mohammed, his family should rescind their decision and appear before the three-member committee tasked to probe his murder.
Nana Akomea said partaking in the ongoing investigation will help ensure they get the justice they deserve.
“If they are listening we would urge them to rescind their decision. They have lost a valuable member of the family so naturally, they’re traumatised and they are emotional. The country stands in solidarity with them especially in getting to the truth of why their family member was killed,” he said on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana Friday, July 9.
The family has said even though they are grateful for the establishment of the three-member committee, they do not believe the focus of the committee will bring them the justice they require.
“In addition, having sought and obtained independent legal advice as to the work of the Committee, and our rights vis-à-vis the Committee, we have become apprehensive of the substantive and procedural regularity of the Committee’s work. We are also now concerned that the Committee’s work does not provide the appropriate framework for a full, faithful, and impartial inquiry, as envisaged under Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution. In this connection, we note, in particular:
“(1) Our regret with the decision to not establish this inquiry using the powers provided for under Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution. We are concerned that the failure to institute a proper Commission of Inquiry under Article 278, means that this Committee of inquiry does not have the powers, rights, and privileges of the High Court or a Justice of the High Court at a trial. As such, the Committee has no power to (a) enforce the attendance of witnesses and examine them on oath,” the family said in a statement.
It added: “Watching the proceedings over the past few days, we have found the Committee’s inability to enforce the attendance of witnesses and examine them on oath as well as to compel any documents, to be very puzzling. We are also concerned that these restrictions put the Committee in a position where it can neither vet, validate nor substantiate any statements made before it; nor cross-examine the testimonies of the witnesses on the basis of facts independently procured”.
But Nana Akomea maintains the benefits of appearing before the committee far outweigh the reasons the family is avoiding the committee.
He pleaded with the slain social activist’s family to avail themselves to the committee to get to the bottom of the incident which has provoked anger across the country.
“Finding the perpetrators and ensuring justice. The whole country stands with the family in this aim and this committee work is the first step in achieving that aim – identifying in an orgainsed manner what led to the death of their family member and who possibly could be behind that death, so, whatever misgivings they may have unless there’s another alternative in unraveling the circumstances behind the death of their family member.”
“I think they should go and appear before the committee, especially if they have useful information that will lead to the unraveling of the circumstance,” he averred.
By: Bernard Ralph Adams | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
