Caleb Kudah's entry into National Security unlawful - Committee
The Ministry of National Security has established after investigations that Citi FM journalist Caleb Kudah's unauthorised entry into its premises on May 11, 2021, was unlawful.
The Ministry through an investigation Committee also found that the arrest of Citi FM journalist, Mr Kudah by the Director of Operations at the National Security, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman, and some police officers contravened the Ministry’s operating standards.
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Background
On May 11, 2021, National Security officers detained Mr Kudah for filming with his smartphone on the premises of the National Security Ministry in Accra.
The operatives also stormed the premises of Adabraka-based radio station Citi FM to arrest his colleague, Mrs Zoe Abu-Baidoo for receiving the footage of the abandoned vehicles from Mr Kudah.
After resisting the attempt to arrest her, Mrs Abu-Baidoo later reported to the Ministry for interrogation and was released on the same day with Mr Kudah after questioning.
Mr Kudah in an interview on Citi TV on May 12 after his release accused the National Security operatives of slapping and kicking him during his detention at the Ministry.
In a statement signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Lt. Col. Ababio Serebour (retd.), the Ministry said it had initiated investigations into the alleged assault of the two Citi FM journalists.
About 15 organizations including civil society groups and political parties, condemned the incident and backed calls for investigations while calling for reforms in the national security setup.
Sanctions
The Ministry in a statement on Thursday, May 20, 2021, said it has since reversed the secondment of Colonel Agyemang and the officer "is to report to the Chief of Defence Staff for further investigation and appropriate action".
The three police officers involved have been withdrawn and are to report to the Ghana Police Service for investigation and disciplinary action.
"The following actions have thus been taken by the Ministry: The secondment of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman (Director of Operations) at the Ministry has been reversed. The officer is to report to the Chief of Defence Staff for further investigation and appropriate action," the Ministry said in a statement signed by the Minister for National Security, Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah.
"The three (3) Police officers involved have been withdrawn and are to report to the Ghana Police Service for investigation and disciplinary action".
Assurance
The Ministry also indicated that it will expeditiously investigate any complaints against any personnel of its Agencies.
"The Ministry of National Security wishes to assure the general public and particularly all media practitioners that the Ministry will expeditiously investigate any complaints against any personnel of its Agencies. The tenets of National Security in Ghana should be based on a Whole-of-Government and a Whole-of Society approach and cooperation from all well-meaning Ghanaians.
"The Ministry assures the general public that measures continue to be taken to ensure the highest professional standards to engender public trust".