Arrest of Mohammed Bashiru unconstitutional

Accra , June 30, GNA - The Minority in Parliament at a press conference on Wednesday in Accra , condemned as arbitrary and un-constitutional the arrest and detention of Mr. Bashiru Mohammed.

Mr Mohammed, who is said to be a New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist, was apprehended at the Kotoka International Airport on his return from South Africa on June 27, by the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) officials.

He was part of Ghanaian supporters who went to South Africa to cheer the Ghana Blacks Stars at the ongoing FIFA 2010 World Cup.

Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Minority Leader, who read a statement, said Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution indicates that a person's freedom could not be withheld without reason adding that any police officer effecting an arrest of an individual must as a condition inform him or her of the reasons for the arrest.

He noted that when a delegation of some New Patriotic Party (NPP) team visited the Police Headquarters where he was said to be transferred the following day, it was told that they did not receive any formal information relating to Rashid's arrest.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the Police rather promised to release the victim the following day if no information was received about him.

The Minority Leader, said efforts to secure a bail for Rashid were unsuccessful though the Police said they would do so and he (Rashid) was rather transferred to Tamale where he was said to be a wanted man.

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said "We see the acts of the Police as very deceptive, unlawful and unconstitutional, and asked whether Rashid was arrested because he is from the Abudu gate?

He asked "Is Bashiru in unlawful custody in order to fulfil the promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration of imprisoning Abudus?".

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said it was wildly rumoured that Mr. Bashiru's arrest might be in connection with an alleged electoral offence he was purported to have committed in 2004.

He stressed that another source indicated that he was in a brawl with some NDC activist in South Africa .

Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said "It was that reason which took the finger pointing of an NDC man who was in South Africa upon arrival for Bashiru to be arrested.

"As concerned citizen we call on the government to put the necessary measure in place to ensure the immediate unconditional release of Mr Bahiru Mohammed to enjoy his freedom as enshrined in the constitution".

GNA