MP says he stands by his statement

Kumasi, Sept. 28, GNA - Dr. Richard.W. Anane, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, said on Tuesday that he still stands by his statement that he was assaulted by Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), and some thugs on September 13.

Dr. Anane said he stands to injure his reputation and expose himself to public ridicule if he falsely alleges that he has been assaulted and battered in public.

He was reacting to a statement by Nana Agyemang who denied the alleged assault and said he was prepared to swear the great oath of Asante and invited Dr. Anane to do the same.

The MP said he was surprised that Nana Agyemang, who claims to be a royal and who should be the first to respect the invocation of the great oath of Asante, could trifle with it "when he knows that he is lying".

Dr Anane said he had not officially been informed of the arrest and the alleged parading of some of the suspects. He explained that, based on unofficial information, and in the presence of Mr S.K. Boafo, Member of Parliament for Subin and a lawyer, they enquired from the Buffalo Unit of the Police Service on Thursday, September 23, about the suspects.

But none of the police officers at post was aware of the arrest or the whereabouts of the suspects. "I pray that the perception of the public of official patronage and opacity be not reinforced by suspicion of official connivance and condoning in the atrocities of Nana Akwasi Agyemang which could engender self-help in the delivery of justice by the people.

"The assault by Nana Agyemang and the battery by thugs on the orders of the MCE did happen on the evening of September 13 at the premises of the District Fire Service station in front of the District Electoral Commission and that Nana Agyemang, in characteristic cowardly fashion, is lying," Dr. Anane stated.