A former Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officer of the Ghana Police Service, Corporal Emmanuel Sackey, has recounted how he was sentenced to death by firing squad following the death of a suspect in custody.

The retired officer, who hails from Somanya, shared his story in an interview on NAK Media, detailing events that led to his conviction and eventual presidential pardon.

According to Sackey, he joined the Ghana Police Service on November 14, 1974. However, he admitted that during his time in service, he struggled with substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs.

He explained that on the day of the incident, he had been drinking and smoking when he was assigned to handle a suspect.

“I had gone to smoke and drink and I was in a very high state when I was asked to handle a case,” he said.

He noted that during the interrogation, the suspect became difficult, which led to a physical altercation.

“The suspect was frustrating me, so I slapped him. He had previously undergone an operation and after I beat him, he got injured and started bleeding,” he recounted.

Sackey said the suspect later collapsed, prompting efforts to rush him to the hospital.

“He collapsed and we put him in a car to take him to the hospital but he died in the car. That was when my eyes became clear from the weed and alcohol I had taken,” he stated.

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Upon arrival at the Tema General Hospital, medical personnel confirmed the suspect had died before arrival.

“When we got to Tema General Hospital, they said the person was dead on arrival. They took the details and we sent the body to the mortuary,” he said.

The incident was subsequently reported to their superiors and the family of the deceased was informed.

“We informed our superiors and the commander was told. Later, the family of the deceased was called but they said they would not agree,” he added.

Sackey alleged that public outcry over the incident led to the case being escalated to the then Head of State, the late Jerry John Rawlings.

“People said even if we were taken to the IGP, we would be freed, so they took the matter straight to the President at the Castle,” he claimed.

According to him, the President directed the Inspector-General of Police to take immediate action.

“The President ordered the IGP to bring a delegation from Accra to Tema to arrest all of us,” he said.

Sackey disclosed that he and his colleagues were charged with murder and conspiracy and tried before a special tribunal court.

“We were charged with murder and conspiracy. President Rawlings had set up a tribunal court, and that was where we were taken,” he stated.

He further alleged that the trial was expedited under strict instructions.

“The President ordered the judge, Nana Kwaku Addo Aikins, to deliver judgment within three days and sentence us to death so we could be added to the firing squad guys and be killed,” he claimed.

Sackey said the directive was intended to serve as a deterrent.

“He said after the verdict, we would be added to others and executed to show the world that the police have no right to assault suspects,” he recounted.

He added that at the time, individuals involved in alleged coup plots were also being fast-tracked for execution.

Following the trial, Sackey said he was sentenced to death by firing squad, while a colleague who assisted him initially received a 25-year prison sentence.

“We tried to appeal, but the case was dismissed. Later, my colleague’s sentence was also reviewed and changed to death,” he noted.

He revealed that they were held at James Fort Prison, while executions of other convicts took place in 1985.

After spending 16 years in prison, Sackey said his sentence was eventually overturned following a presidential pardon in 12 January, 2001.

“After serving 16 years, a letter came granting us pardon by the President,” he said.





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