Poku Under House Arrest

... He's going through a debriefing -Govt
A number of armed policemen have besieged the residence of Mr. Francis Poku, the former National Security Minister who was relieved of his post on Saturday morning. It is immediately unclear what operation the police could be carrying out at the residence.

According to JOYFM, about 20 security operatives have surrounded at Mr. Poku's and they are not allowing any visitors. Plain cloth officer claim to be there only to protect him. 10 of the operatives in military fatigues were sitting in a Toyota Tundra pick-up while two armed others were manning the gate to the house.

Owula Mangotey, a political analyst told PeaceFM that he was in the house with the ex-minister when three police officers entered and told Francis Poku that he was not supposed to leave the house.

Mangotey believes the ex-minister is under house arrest.

JOYFM: The Managing editor of the Insight Minister, Mr. Kwasi Pratt Jnr. who also spoke to Joy FM after arriving in the ex-minister's house shortly after the police officers stormed the house, said from all indications, Francis Poku was under house arrest.

He said on his arrival he was initially refused entry but he was later allowed in. Kwesi Pratt put the number of security personnel at about 35, including some in bullet proof vests.
Kwesi Pratt said all visitors were later asked to leave the house because Francis Poku was not allowed visitors. He added that the ex-Minister was in his room.

He said information available to him indicated the ex-Minister had had his personal security detail withdrawn and was to be moved to a security base.

Kwesi Pratt described the situation as terrifying, and said one of Mr. Poku's daughters who had had a heart transplant recently had broken down and was weeping uncontrollably, a situation he said could have health implications for the patient.

Israel Laryea again said a woman suspected to be a sister of the ex-minister had been refused entry and was wailing at the gates.

Meanwhile the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie said that Mr. v Poku was to be taken through a debriefing exercise as part of routine handing over ceremony and described the situation as nothing untoward.

She appealed to the public to remain calm and assured that Mr Poku's life was not under threat.