NRC moves to Koforidua next week

Accra, June 4, GNA- THE National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) moves to Koforidua to continue with the regional public hearing next week. The venue for the Koforidua hearings would be Appenteng Hall, opposite the Methodist Church, a source at the Public Affairs Secretariat of Commission has said.

The hearings would be held from Tuesday June 8 2004 to Friday June 11 2004.

Meanwhile, Mr Paul Bebli formerly Jack Bebli, on Friday told Commissions public hearing in Accra that people were framing him up just because he was a popular figure.

Mr Bebli, a former police officer, in-charge of the Police Commandos, said in pidgin English: "I know I can be framed up. When I go to Prison before I know that I have enemies within the country."

Witness appeared before the Commission to cross-examine Mr Anthony Sarfo, who had said in evidence, that Mr Bebli had led a group of his men to ransack his boutique at Achimota in 1989.

Mr Sarfo had said also that the Commandos arrested his younger brother, one Stephen Sarfo, who was then the store assistant and that Mr Bebli had released him later when they approached him at the Cantonments Police Station.

In reply to Mr Sarfo's statement, Mr Bebli said: "he make me surprise. He can know me and mention my name, I don't know him at all." He also denied ever going on any operation in Achimota, and ordering a release of Stephen Sarfo.

Mr. Bebli, who said he had been a boxer, and an athlete, added, "the whole stadium belonged to me," adding that he was also former escort of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President, and so many people knew him, even in Nigeria and Uganda.

He said the Police Commandos never went to check stores, and that checking stores was the case for tax collectors. The Police Commandos, he said, were rather on day and night patrol duties in the Accra and Tema areas, and checked stealing and people, who refused to pay winnings for Tombola raffles.

Witness said when he was the Commander of the Police Commandos; he intervened and stopped land developments when people reported cases of land encroachment.