Ghana: NPP Demands Release Of 3 South Africans

The New Patriotic Party is demanding the immediate release of three South Africans it says are being held in unlawful custody by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). The demand, made Monday morning at a press conference, comes shortly after the BNI released the head of private security of the New Patriotic Party flagbearer Captain Koda who was arrested on Friday in connection with the arrival in Ghana of the three South Africans. The three-retired South African Police Officers, Major Ahmed Shaik (retd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwahye, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45- were reportedly training officials of the NPP on how to provide security for VIPs particularly the flagbearer, an action the BNI has described as illegal. The South Africans were arrested and subsequently granted bail but the BNI ignored the ruling by the Circuit Court and whisked the three men back into their custody.

Early Monday morning, tens of angry New Patriotic Party youth massed up at the party headquarters to protest the continued detention of the three South Africans as well as Captain Koda. In a charged atmosphere, the Regional Chairman of the NPP Ishmael Ashiettey said the the detention of the three was unconstitutional and a violation of the rights of the suspects.

 “The three South Africans who had been in the BNI custody the previous Sunday were granted bail with specific orders from the court that they be taken to the office registrar of the court whilst the sureties were verified before their release.

 “What happened next on the compound of the judiciary in the full glare of journalists and lawyers could only be described as the greatest form of disrespect and impunity against the office of Chief Justice in particular and the judiciary as a whole.

 “The BNI agents completely ignored the orders of the court bandied the three men into a waiting vehicle and drove them straight back into custody. “As we speak the three South Africans are still in custody, in fact they are in unlawful custody,” Ashiettey stated.

 The NPP Greater Accra Regional Chair also called for the release of Captain Koda but Joy News has learnt the NPP head of private security had already been released. A source at the BNI told Joy News’ Beatrice Adu that Captain Koda was released at 7:00 am in good health.

Captain Acquah, the owner of the El Capitano Hotel, the venue where the three South Africans were arrested has also been released. According to the BNI source, Captain Acquah presented a health report which disallowed his detention at the BNI. He was however allowed to go but was cautioned to return as and when he is needed.