Ghana Police Service says it has interdicted Police Inspector Sulemana Adam of the Rapid Deployment Force; Takoradi in the Western Region for “negligently” leaving his rifle in a commercial vehicle.
The rifle has since been returned by the driver of the said vehicle who also alleged that Inspector Adam had extorted money from him.
The head of the Public Relations Unit, Takoradi Command of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police, Olivia E. T. Adiku said the case has been referred to Police Professionals Standards Bureau (PPSB) to allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Both the Inspector and the driver are assisting the investigation, Supt Adiku said in a statement log on the police social media handles at the weekend.
It is recalled a mini commercial bus (trotro) driver reported that a police officer has left his gun in the front seat of the vehicle after allegedly taking GH¢100 bribe from him (driver).
According to the driver, who pleaded anonymity, said about five police officers stopped his vehicle and claimed “I was under arrest for loading at an unauthorised area.
“I loaded passengers from Cape Coast to Takoradi. When I got to Takoradi around 8:30pm on Friday, a police vehicle with about five officers stopped me.
They alighted all my passengers and told me I was under arrest and that I will be taken to the office to be processed before court which I agreed,” he narrated on Takoradi based Connect FM radio station.
He adds that the police officers stopped along the way and demanded he pays an amount of GH¢150 before he would be set free.
“On our way to the Police station, they stopped and told me that if they should take me to the Police station, I will pay GH¢500 and my vehicle will be locked until Monday. They then told me to pay GH¢150 and I pleaded with them to have mercy upon me. They told me I was not serious and that the only way they would allow me to go is GH¢100 for a last price. So I paid the GH¢100 and they left me to go and continue my work,” he noted.
According to the driver, he later realised one of the police officers who entered his vehicle had left his gun in the front seat.
“I could not work again because they had taken all my money for the day. I went home and realised the police officer had left his gun in the vehicle. I have not been able to work for sometime because of the gun lying in my vehicle,” he added.
BY NORMAN COOPER
