Citi FM raid: Abort National Security probe, constitute panel of eminent persons for public inquiry into all attacks — OneGhana Movement

A Civil Society Organisation, OneGhana Movement wants the National Security probe into the alleged assault on Citi FM/TV's journalist Caleb Kudah be aborted.

The Movement said its position is necessitated by a similar promise the National Security Authority made in the assault of Modernghana's editor Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri who was arrested by the National Security operatives in a similar incident two years ago and nothing came out of it.

Caleb Kudah, Host of BackPage on Citi TV was allegedly assaulted by the National Security operatives who accused him of filming some abandoned cars at the Ministry of National Security, a restricted security zone on Tuesday.

A team of seven heavily-armed police officers raided Citi FM in an attempt to arrest the station's Zoe Abu-Baidoo, whom they accused of electronically receiving some images and video files from her colleague, Caleb Kudah.

In condemning the attack and subsequent raid of Citi FM, OneGhana Movement in a statement signed by Justice Abdulai, is calling for the establishment of a panel of eminent persons for a public inquiry into the assault on Caleb Kudah, ModernGhana's editor Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and all other attacks on journalists.

"We recall that when Mr. Emmanuel Ajafor a journalist with Modern Ghana was arrested by National Security operatives in a similar incident, the National Security Authority issued a press statement in which they promised to investigate the matter, but nothing came out of it.

"We join calls for a probe but believe that such must be holistic and for lasting reform. The President, who has oversight of the intelligence agencies must immediately constitute a panel of eminent persons for a public inquiry opened to all who have ever encountered such treatment constantly reported in the media and by lawyers to testify," the statement noted.

OneGhana Movement added that the modus operandi of the National Security amount to the usurpation of the powers of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

"The modus operandi of the Nationality Security, as it is now, amounts to usurpation of the powers of the IGP and a breach of the constitution of Ghana. Indeed, similar findings were made against the National Security in the Ayawaso West Commission Report where the Commission recommended among others that the SWAT team be disbanded. These recommendations, till date have been ignored."

Read full statement below: