Col Feli's relative says his uncle was not tried

Accra, Jan 12, GNA - Mr Augustine Feli, a witness at the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), on Monday said the late Colonel Roger Feli, one time Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, was never tried before any court before he was executed at dawn on June 26, 1979.

Led in evidence by Mr Edward Allotei Mingle, Head of the Legal Affairs Department of the Commission, Mr Feli said it was never true that Col Feli was tried and found guilty.

Mr Feli quoted statements his late uncle wrote in a Bible that showed that he was not tried.

"I'm dying innocent. I've not been tried. I'm going home a man, and I thank God", he said statement read.

Mr Feli, who appeared angry said: "My Lord, this to me is murder; simple and short.

The witness said Col. Feli, who held different portfolios under the erstwhile National Redemption Council, was in Navrongo when the June 4 1979 coup happened.

In the evening, drunken soldiers stormed the Colonel's house, forced open the gate, shot one of the dogs, maltreated and marched members of the household at gunpoint.

The soldiers said they had earlier on, in the morning taken part in the killing of General Odartey Wellington at the Nima Police Station. Mr Feli said the soldiers ransacked the house and took electronic and electrical items and ate any food they found in the house.

They then drove away.

Mr Feli said 10 days after the coup it was announced that Col Feli had been brought down to the Nsawam Prison.

He said Col Feli was later detained at the Air Force Station where he often paid him visits and sent him food.

Mr Feli said Col Feli was the only son of the mother and his death affected the mother who later died.

He said the properties of the Col. Feli were also confiscated and this affected his dependants, including his seven biological children. The Witness prayed the Commission to investigate if Col. Feli was really tried, the events leading to his death, the manner of his death, and also find the records of the trial and the authority which authorised his uncle's execution.

The Commission commended Mr Feli for his courage in bringing the matter up.

General Emmanuel Alexander Erskine, a Member of the Commission, said the work of the Commission would not be completed without investigating the execution of the generals.

"There is no evidence that any of them were tried.... I don't know how the international community viewed Ghana at that time,'' he said.

Three former police personnel complained about their dismissal from the Service.

Both Madam Emelia Amoah-Danso and Madam Agnes Ofori said their dismissal from the Service in 1987 for refusing to write a promotion examination was harsh and unfair.

They said at best, they should have been brought before a service enquiry, and wondered why a number of their colleagues with whom they were dismissed were re-engaged.

They prayed the Commission to help them get reinstated and for the payment of any benefits due them.

Ex Police Inspector John Henry Tenkorang, said he was dismissed after serving four years and seven months in prison after being brought to trial on a 150,000 cedis he was said to have stolen when he arrested one Banker-to-Banker operator.

Mr. Tenkorang said he was framed up in the said theft case because he had stepped on the toes of high-ranking personalities, adding that he spent three months earlier in the cells of the Bureau of National

Investigations before his trial and jail term.