Some Worrying Doubts

We do not know why there are doubts over whether a political interference would not affect the quality of the outcome of the ongoing investigations into the fatal acid attack on the late Adams Mahama in Bolgatanga.

Even if those harbouring such fears are labeled doubting Thomases or even cynics, their fears are hinged on empirical evidence: some cases in which government had vested political interests in the past ended inconclusively or even abruptly.

The issue is not about the competence or otherwise of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) personnel getting to the bottom of the case under review, but the political interference which could take the form of directing that the case be discontinued or that certain key suspects be let off the hook. 'Orders from above' are so powerful that law enforcement agents dare not disregard them.

In a previous editorial we did recall the murder through burning of Imoru Adam, the late National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kwesimintsim Constituency Chairman in the Western Region in the 90s. Somebody high on the political ladder at the time had a vested interest in the matter and so nobody was even arrested, let alone investigations undertaken.

It is our hope that in this case those undertaking the investigations would be allowed to go the full hog with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the criminal act to book. That is what the rule of law is about and we expect it would be upheld by all means regardless of whose interests it tramples upon. After all, important leads are being unearthed.

The danger in such possible interferences is that they kill not only the morale of the detectives and other law enforcement personnel from being professional in future similar cases, but casts the government in bad light and unfortunately and regrettably the justice administration system of which law enforcement is an integral part. This is not a neat tag that should be hung around the neck of a government or the state.

Although a criminality, the case under review has a place on the political domain which makes it a complex one under the circumstances. It demands speed and accuracy devoid of dirty manouvres by those seeking political leverage from it.

The tell-tale phone calls between suspects and some elements are too critical in the case under review that unlike others before it, this one should not be toyed with.

Every movement is being watched with eagle eyes, we can assure all who have a stake in this matter and in whose interest it is stalled. No names, no matter those bearing them, should be covered up when they pop up in the case.

We can only grow our democracy when our structures are allowed to work devoid of interference. Nothing short of justice is needed in the gruesome murder of Adams Mahama.