Chiefs and opinion leaders of the Tamale Metropolitan Area on behalf of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom, has called on leadership of the Ghana Police Service to immediately and unconditionally release the 13 suspects arrested during the protest at the Tamale District Court on Monday, August 28.
Their call comes after the chiefs met with the delegation of the IGP at the Northern regional police headquarters in Tamale
Several people were injured after police open fire on protesters at the Tamale District Court in the early hours of Monday.
The protesters were protesting against the suspicion that one Alhaji Osman, an illicit drug dealer, would be released by the court against their wish.
People therefore gathered at the premises of the Tamale District Court to protest, which led to some scuffles between them and the police, leading to the shooting incident.
13 people were arrested after the incident and have been remanded for 2 weeks, of which, the chiefs and leaders of Dagbon are calling for their immediate and unconditional release in order to avoid any further disturbances or escalations in the area.
The chiefs also accused the police of always using live ammunition to disperse people in Tamale, which has led to the death of several people in the past, calling on them to be professional in their dealings with civilians in order to ensure peace and stability within Tamale and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has in no certain terms condemned the unlawful invasion of the premises of the Tamale District Court by some residents in the area.
The Association commended the Ghana Police Service for their swift intervention with reinforcement that saved the properties and lives of the Magistrates, Court Officials, Lawyers, Litigants, and other court users during the sad event.
JUSAG in a statement called on the Ghana Police Service to deal decisively with the thirteen (13) suspects arrested during the event in accordance with the law whilst efforts are made to apprehend the other suspects on the run.
“We call on the Judicial Service and the securities services to intensify efforts to ensure optimum safety and security of all officers of the Court before justice administration resumes at the Court,” the statement signed by the President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana, Mr. Samuel Affotey Otu said.
By: Alhassan D Baba | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
