A Kumasi circuit court has remanded into police custody, three alleged killers of a taskforce member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dauda Ibrahim, also known as (aka) Wayo, 40, Abdul Ganiyu, aka Petit, 37, and Agyin Samuel, aka Rock, 32, who surrendered to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, which subsequently arrested them, on February 25, this year, would re-appear before the court on March 14.
They have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, but their pleas were not taken when they appeared before the court, presided by Mr Abass Mohammed, yesterday.
The prosecutor, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Okyere Darko, who claimed that the accused were members of the Hawks, a vigilante group of the NDC, told the court to remand them, to enable the police complete investigation, as a bail would affect the investigation.
The counsel for the suspects, Evans Amankwah, kicked against the remand order, saying the clients surrendered to the police, and there was no way they would run away or disturb police investigation.
He said that Duada, is the second youth organiser of the party at the Old Tafo constituency and that he was invited to be at the party office on that fateful day of the incident, by the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Augustine Andrews, adding that Agyin Samuel and Abdul Ganiyu were not available on the day.
The shooting incident which took place on February 18, this year, led to the killing of Wasiu, a taskforce member of the NDC, and serious injury on another person, who was on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
Earlier, Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP) Godwin Ahianyo, of the Regional Police Public Affairs Unit, indicated that the police were seeking Abdul Bari Mohammed (Warrior), Midjima, Abu Taliban, Sanni Mohammed (Commando), Gyafaru (Element), Fuseini (Jah Rule), Demos Fayiz and Suleman (Akom).
The indiscriminate shooting at the party’s office at Amakom, Kumasi, took place during a meeting of the national and regional executives of the party, ahead of the just ended flag bearership elections.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the party’s General Secretary, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, National Chairman, among others, were caught in the crossfire, but they escaped unhurt.
A former chief executive of the Ejisu-Juaben municipality, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh, had his vehicle damaged by the attackers, said to be members of the Hawks.
The attackers, wielding guns, stormed the premises on motorcycle as they fired indiscriminately.
The police have quizzed Mr Yamoah Ponkoh and a former deputy sports minister, Joseph Yammin, in connection with the shooting incident.
Mr Yammin is said to be the “rock” behind the Hawks, while Yamoah Ponkoh’s name came up as having knowledge about the group.
However, the party’s secretariat has denied that the group was made up of members of the Hawks, and has requested the police to delve deep into the matter, to bring the perpetrators to book.
FROM KINGSLEY E. HOPE, KUMASI
