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30.06.2010 NPP

NPP Man Arrested Again

By Daily Guide
Bashiru Muhammed aka RedBashiru Muhammed aka Red
30.06.2010 LISTEN

BASHIRU MOHAMMED, aka Red, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist who was arrested on his arrival from South Africa at the Kotoka International Airport on Sunday, has been re-arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

Last Sunday, Bashiru Mohammed, who was not charged with any offence by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) after his arrest, was granted bail after spending some 16 hours in their custody.

However, when he reported to the BNI yesterday, he was re-arrested and handed over to the CID Headquarters.

Police sources have not been able to tell what offence the young man has been arrested for.

As at press time yesterday, Bashiru was still in police custody, not knowing his fate and his offence.  

Bashiru, who was among some 40 NPP members who joined soccer fans to cheer up the Black Stars in South Africa, is based in Tamale.

He told DAILY GUIDE that he was arrested around 12:30 am on Sunday, soon after completing his immigration formalities, and was thrown into BNI cells, with his traveling passport and other personal belongings confiscated.

“The BNI man then asked me to bring my passport and when I gave it to him he said I had been arrested and that he was from BNI. I asked what I had done wrong but he said I would be told when we get to the office so I should go for my luggage.

“I then shouted to inform one of my brothers that I had been arrested so he should send my luggage home and inform my people but when my brother came for the luggage, he was arrested and both of us were put in handcuffs,” Bashiru noted.

He added that he was driven straight to the BNI headquarters at Ridge, where a form was given to him to fill in. After that he was thrown straight into cells without any questioning.

“When we reached there, I heard the man on duty asking the police what my issue was and they said they were only asked to bring me but they were not sure what exactly I had done…Then around 3:30 pm they came for me again and said I should call someone to bail me.

“The only person I could call was still at the airport waiting for his luggage so they released me and said I should return on Monday at 9am but they would keep my passport and two digital cameras until I return on Monday.

I again asked why I was brought there and what I had done but they still said they did not know and that it was one of those things but just to make sure I return, they would keep my passport,” Bashiru narrated.

Asked what information the form, which he filled, requested of him, he noted that it was mostly on his bio-data, contact details and what property he had.

The BNI, soon after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came to power in January 2009, has been arresting and detaining people under similar circumstances without any explanations.

By Rocklyn Antonio

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