Committee to probe Atua's death inaugurated

Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - The Minister of the Interior, Mr. Kwamena Bartels on Wednesday inaugurated the Committee to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of George Kojo Atua, a mini bus driver at Suhum who was allegedly beaten to death by some military and police personnel on Friday August 3, 2007.

Mr. Bartels charged the committee members to work with an open mind and quickly come out with the fact surrounding the death of the victim. A statement issued by the Ministry in Accra said the committee should work in such a way that their findings would be accepted by the public.

He pledged that government would not shelve any wrongdoings on the part of the military and the police, notwithstanding the fact that they are charged with the responsibility of protecting the society at all times.

Mr. Bartels said the protection of the good people should be done within the confines of the law and anything contrary would not be condoned.

He asked for maximum support and cooperation from the public to make the work of the committee laudable.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Edward Agyeman Duodoo, a Principal State Attorney at the Attorney General's Department, thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed in the committee. He said the committee would be fair to all who were involved and asked those who would appear before the committee to be truthful and factual.

The other members of the committee are Mr. Samuel Bediako of Bureau of National Investigations, Major Barima Owusu and Warrant Officer Class II Fianko, of Michel Camp, DSP Frederick Anim of CID Headquarters, Nana Akrasi Sarpong and Ernest Kwarteng both of the Ministry of the Interior. The committee will resume work on Friday and had one week to submit the report.