IGP, David Asante-Apeatu
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to take over investigations into the assault of Joy News reporter, Latif Iddrisu.
The health of Latif, who suffered a fractured skull, has been deteriorating since policemen attacked him at the forecourt of the CID headquarters.
He was at the CID headquarters to cover the arrest of Deputy General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho, who allegedly made treasonable comments.
The Cantonments Police and the Intelligence and Professional Standards (PIPS) Unit have been investigating the attack on the journalist since March but no report has been issued.
A statement issued and signed by the Director General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police service on Friday DSP Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, noted that the CID headquarters’ perusal docket showed that the reporter had returned the medical form issued to him by the police following the attack.
It added that the IGP has also constituted an expanded team of police management board members to meet the National Media Commission (NMC), which is mediating between the Ghana Police and Multimedia Group on the matter.
The Joy News reporter was allegedly assaulted by the police on March 27, 2018 at the CID headquarters while covering the arrest of Koku Anyidoho.
Riot police were stationed at the CID Headquarters to control a small number of NDC supporters who had come to the place to show solidarity with their General Secretary.
Latif explained that the police attacked him because he asked one of them a question to facilitate his report.
The Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, who condemned the attack on the reporter, also apologised on behalf of the government.
By Gibril Abdul Razak