IGP directs CID to take over assault case on Multimedia journalist

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to take over the case involving alleged police assault on a Multimedia Group journalist Latif Iddrisu. The case was originally being handled by the Cantonments police, but a police statement signed by DSP Mrs. Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, Director of Public Affairs, said the CID is taking over the case on the instruction of the Inspector General of Police. Latif was brutalized at the police Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters when he went there to report on the arrest of Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho in March this year. The Inspector General of Police on April 16, in a meeting, assured the victim and the public of prompt investigation into the case and the appropriate action taken against any officer found culpable. Even though the police claimed they have been investigating the case, nothing substantial had been heard about how the investigation is progressing three months down the line. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) was last week Friday compelled to give the Ghana Police Service two weeks to make its report on investigations into the assault on Latif Iddrisu available. President of the Association, Roland Affail Monney, said failure by the police to comply would leave them with no option than to petition the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is the chairman of the Police Council. But the police statement on Friday, July 13 said, “The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters of the Ghana Police Service to take over investigation of the case of assault involving Mr. Latif Iddris from the Cantonments Police.” It further stated, “The CID headquarters’ perusal of the case docket shows that Mr. Iddris has returned the medical form issued to him by Police.” It also said the IGP has constituted an expanded team of Police Management Board Members to meet the National Media Commission (NMC) which is mediating between the Ghana Police and the Multimedia Group on the matter. Source: 3news.com | Ghana]]>