Solicitor for suspected Ya-Na's killers files for Habeas Corpus

Nana Obiri Boahen, a Sunyani Lawyer and Solicitor for Yidana Sugri and Jahinfo Pachi, who are under police investigations for their alleged involvement in the murder of the late Ya-Na, Yakubu Andani II, Overlord of Dagbon, has filed a writ of habeas corpus against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and three others.

The three others are the National Director and Chief Director of Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Greater Accra Regional Commander of Police. About a fortnight ago the two were arrested in Tamale and flown to Accra and placed in custody for their alleged involvement in the murder of the Ya-Na.

In the writ, the Solicitor said the continued detention and incarceration of the two amounted to "serious breach and violation of their fundamental human rights enshrined under the 1992 constitution".

Nana Boahen recalled that the Wuaku Commission, then probing the Yendi violence ordered the arrest of the two "but realising its mistake later ordered their release".

The two made themselves available at the Commission's sittings anytime they were required to be present, he said.

The Solicitor who had earlier protested against the arrest and detention of the two men stated that the Commission had long finished its work and had submitted its report to the President but the Government had not issued any White Paper in respect of the Commission's report. Nana Obiri Boahen expressed regret that he had not received any response to his petition to the IGP over the arrest and detention of the two persons.

No criminal charges have been preferred against the applicants and there is no indication that they shall be released in the immediate future, the solicitor added.