The Ministry of Interior is insisting head of New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s security, Captain (retd) Edmund Koda, is a convict.
Despite a rebuttal from Captain Koda’s lawyer, Nana Asante Bediatuo that his client was acquitted and discharged by a commission of inquiry, Deputy Interior minister James Agalga maintains this is not true.
Speaking on Joy FM/MultiTv's news analysis program Newsfile, Agalga said, "his argument that Captain Koda was never convicted is a palpable falsehood. He [Koda] was convicted and that is why he continued to serve that jail term and ended up breaking jail."
Mr. Agalga said the Francoise Committee Report does not support Bediatuo's argument.
Nana Akufo-Addo's head of security was arrested last week for his involvement in contracting three South African nationals to train close officials of the NPP presidential candidate.
Last Monday, March 28, the Interior ministry released a statement justifying the arrest of Captain Koda. But veteran journalist Kweku Baako Jnr has expressed disappointment in the Interior Minister Prosper Bani.
Baako said the minister despite being a fine gentleman had allowed himself to be used for propaganda.
He referred to a January 14, 1980 publication by the Palaver newspaper with the headline "Okinekwei, Capt Koda not guilty of corruption charge says Capt. Henry Smith".
Noted for an archival knowledge of political history, Baako explained that according to Smith, Burma Camp became "very stormy" after allegations surfaced that Okinekwei and Captain Koda had been cited for corruption.
The junior ranks in the military agitated for their trial.
"The acquittal and discharge of the two officers merely served to arouse the greater anger of the troops ...in order to save the two officers from being executed they were placed in custody and later tried for the second time with sentences passed on them," Baako said.
According to Capt Henry Smith, as narrated by Baako, since the two officers were tried and acquitted in the first trial, they could not be tried again for the same offense, which becomes a double jeopardy.
Baako explained that it was an unconstitutional era of the AFRC that creates the impression that Captain Koda is a convict.
The veteran journalist said the state used Captain Koda to create the impression that the NPP were dealing with mercenaries and terrorist. These claims although cannot be proved in court, has not stopped government from prosecuting the case in the court of public opinion -for propaganda purposes.
He said the Interior Minister's statement sought to profile Capt. Koda as a dangerous person in the eyes of Ghanaians, a move he found sad for a minister with "very good credentials."
The minister, he said is a 'fine man affected by propaganda.'
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |