Adabuga challenges Rawlings

Ex-Corporal Mathew Adabuga, considered a key architect of the 31 December 1981 Revolution, has again thrown a challenge to former President Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings to meet him at the National Reconciliation Commission to cross examine him and clear his name from the accusations (Adabuga) has levelled against him.

Testifying before the Commission on Tuesday, Adabuga said Flt Lt Rawlings then Chairman of the erstwhile Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) did not accept that no adverse findings were made against Capt James William Owu and asked him (Adabuga) to "eliminate" Capt. Owu, a former military intelligence officer and instructor.

Adabuga said it took the intervention of Capt Pattington and Capt Courage Quashigah, both functionaries in the PNDC to spare the life of Capt Owu whom they had arrested on 5 March 1982, after an Independence Parade rehearsal.

Adabuga said, led by one Wallace Gbedema, and on the orders of Capt Kojo Tsikata, he together with a group of soldiers arrested Capt Owu because Capt Tsikata told them Capt Owu was in league with Commander Ekow Daniels and one Malik to assassinate Chairman Rawlings the next day during the Independence Day celebrations.

Adabuga then apologised to Capt Owu, who had testified at the Commission just before him, and embraced him, an action, which was applauded by observers in the public gallery.

Adabuga, admitted that because of his position in the then government, he wielded some influence over senior officers and named 10 people whom he said were the "original 10" architects of the 31 December 1981 military coup. They were Flt Lt Jerry Rawlings, C. C. Addae, Albert Bafa, George Agyekum, Mathias Kojo, Sammy Amedeka, Djibolousso, Amidu and Mensah, both from the Air Force and himself.

Another witness, Kpakpo Allotey who was working with CFAO, said policemen arrested him in 1958 when he and his brother in-law went to buy drinks at a bar to celebrate his wife's safe delivery of their baby.

He said no reason was given for his arrest. He said he spent over eight years in prison shuttling from the Usher Fort Prison, the Sekondi Prison and Nsawam Prisons until 1966 when he was released.

Witness said he was 26 years old when he was arrested and was member of the Ga Shifimo Kpee, a political group, adding that he had resolved not to join any group since then. He mentioned one Kwatelai as the brain behind his arrest because he (Allottey) had advised Kwatelai to stop insulting one Lawyer Ollenu at his Chambers, near Makola, saying it was a disgrace to the Gas.

Allottey said Kwatelai later threatened to teach him a lesson, adding that he was sure his arrest was how Kwatelai paid him back. "Anyway, I thank God he is dead and I am still alive," he said. He said no compensation was paid to him for his imprisonment without trail. He said he did not write a petition to any quarters for redress because he did not know who to address it.

Witness said on 15 November 1958 a publication in the Daily Graphic said he and others had been arrested and would be put before court, but he was never taken to court. "My main reason for coming to the NRC is to find out why the authorities said they would take me to court but never did so for me to know my crime."

Allotey who said he was released together with Madjitey, former Commissioner of Police, adding "Others who were not fortunate died continuously leaving only seven of us alive out of the 43 people arrested." He said he contracted a heart disease due to his arrest and his right eye is blurred due to the constant light on him in prison.

Witness thanked the Commission and government for making the whole world know the bad treatment he and other Ghanaians went through at one time or another in the country's history. He said he is 71 years old and wondered if the Commission could support him financially to celebrate his birthday.