Poku is not under house arrest -Govt

.. Incident "unfortunate and uncalled for" -Poku
Accra, Jan. 16, GNA - The Office of the President on Wednesday stated that former National Security Minister, Francis Poku was not under house arrest as being speculated in a section of the media. A number of armed security personnel this morning were seen at Mr Poku's residence, but the mission of the security detail was unclear at the time.

A statement signed by Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation said the police detail that went to Mr. Poku's residence were to replace his former security detail that consisted of military personnel.

It described the exercise as a norm with all ministers, and "Mr. Francis Poku as a security professional himself is very aware of these routine procedures".

It said as the routine was, the National Security Council, in conformity with world-wide practice, initiated a process of "debriefing and completing a handing-over procedure".

The statement said, "surprisingly the detail met some press men at the premises who apparently misunderstood their presence and carried the news in an exaggerated fashion, calling the incident a 'house arrest.' The statement said, "This statement is to confirm that Mr. Francis Poku is NOT and has not been under house arrest, and that the events of this morning have been the routine workings of the National Security." "Government assures the entire nation that the ongoing events are the in the best interest of the country", it said. Mr. Poku had earlier expressed misgivings over the incident, describing it as "unfortunate and uncalled for".

"I have nothing to hide and I am collaborating with the authorities to ensure a smooth handing over. I would soon hand over my notes", he told some newsmen at his residence in Accra. "But my misgivings about this whole episode is the implication it holds for our national security, the numerous speculations being peddled around and especially as the country prepares to host the CAN 2008 and the impending elections", he said.

Many sympathizers, among them notable political figures and opinion leaders, trooped to Mr. Poku's residence to ascertain whether he was really under house arrest as reported in the media.