Police corporals assault second-hand clothes dealer.

Sekondi, April 27, GNA - Two policemen have been interdicted by the Western Regional Police Command for allegedly beating, ransacking and detaining Mr Francis Essiew, a 38-year-old second hand clothes dealer at the Takorad i central Police Station under the pretext that he was a drug dealer. The suspects are detective Corporal Alidu Salifu and Detective Corporal Ebenezer Neeyi Ahomanyi with the Narcotics Unit of the Police. Seven others are also under investigation. Their interdiction is aimed at facilitating investigations into how nine policemen, on April 15, stormed Mr Essiew's house, broke the door, ransacked the room and beat him in front of his wife and two children.

Briefing the media Police Chief Inspector Olivia Adiku, Public Relations Officer, they would be on interdiction until investigations are over by April 30. Mr. Essiew told newsmen that on that he was asleep with his family when he heard shouts that he should open his door and fearing the people could be armed robbers, he hesitated. He said the group broke down the door, ransacked the room and when he demanded who they were Corporal Salifu and Corporal Ahomanyi beat him up. Mr. Essiew said the next day he was transferred from the Takoradi Central Police Station to the Sekondi Narcotics Unit where he was granted bail after which it was found that it was a mistaken identity. Mr. Essiew said his request for medical forms to enable him seek medical care infuriated Corporal Salidu who pounced on him and again subjected him to severe beatings. The Commander in charge of the Narcotics Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Basintale, said the unit went to the house of Mr. Essiew to search it for his alleged dealing in drugs but they found nothing. He denied any knowledge that his men assaulted Mr. Essiew and said "even if such an incident occurred no one has reported it to me".