Police building docket on May 9 shooters

The police administration says it is building dockets on the ranks that participated in the shooting at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9 in fulfilment of the recommends of the Okudzeto Commission's report.

This is sequel to the Government White Paper on the commission's final report on the disaster, which tasked the police to institute an inquiry and allot commensurate punishments to the shooters for their roles.

Superintendent Bright Oduro, Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) told the GNA Sports that though the police had set up an inquest when the incident happened, they stayed action because of the superiority of the presidential commission.

He said data, which is being collated would determine what form of punishment each participant would get.

The Staff Officer listed dismissal, reduction in rank and freeze in promotion as some of the likely consequences the shooters might face, adding that the gravity of the penalty would depend on the individual role of each person. Mr Oduro said, however, that those who would be found not to have infringed on police guidelines would not be sanctioned.

Ten policemen took part in the shooting which claimed 126 lives at the Accra Sports Stadium on May 9. They are General Corporal Thomas Mahama, Constable Richmond Ofori, Constable Emmanuel Amedumwole and Constable Paul Cudjoe Azumah. Others are Constable Walter Mensah Nyamador, Constable Joseph Agbenyegah, Constable Nicholas Kpodo and Constable George Gyamfi. The rest are Constable Mark Atilusi and Constable Godwin Wudah.

The policemen were armed with stoppers and pump action guns and 60 rounds of ammunition. Mr Oduro said the officers who have been recommended to face manslaughter charges are still on interdiction and the police are awaiting their dockets from the Attorney General's department.