Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Kaaka
Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has disclosed that the findings of the three-member committee which investigated the mayhem that rocked Ejura in the Ejura/Sekyedumase District of the Ashanti Region on June 29, leading to the killing of two people and injuries to four others, following the death of Ibrahim Mohammed, will be released next week.
On July 27, the committee submitted its report to the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, who then said he was not ready to disclose the content of the report until he had studied and submitted it to the President for his review.
The committee that held daily public sittings, and taking testimonies from witnesses, was chaired by Court of Appeal judge, Justice George Kingsley Koomson, with Security Analyst, Dr. Vladimir Antwi-Danso, and the Executive Director of Penplusbytes, Juliet Amoah for civil society organisations while Marie Louise Simmons, a Principal State Attorney was secretary to the committee.
Minister’s Confirmation
According to the Minister of Information, “the President has instructed that we publish the report so perhaps before the end of this week or next week we will be publishing the report in full and at the same time also announcing the implementation measures that come along with that publication.”
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah indicated on Citi FM that the findings were subsequently handed over to the Attorney General for advice.
“The President asked the Attorney General to look at it and give advice on a number of things which will become clearer when implementation starts. The Attorney General has completed the study of the committee’s report,” he added.
Purported Recommendation
On July 27, when the report was submitted, there were claims that the committee had recommended that the Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipal Chief Executive, Mohammed Salisu Bamba, should be removed from office, even though the MCE was on record to have said before the report came out that, he was not even interested in seeking to retain his position following the violence.
The military officer who led the soldiers to quell the violence was also rumoured to have been penciled to face sanctions as well as the transfer of the District Police Commander for Ejura-Sekyedumase, DSP Philip Hammond.
The families of the deceased and the injured are also to benefit from compensation per the committee’s recommendations.
For the future of policing in Ejura, the committee reportedly recommended an upgrading of police infrastructure at Ejura and the expansion of the police force in Ejura.
To help the community, the committee also recommended the creation of community centres under the Zongo Development Fund.
Main Work
The committee inquired into the circumstances that led to the shooting of the two civilians namely: Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed, by military personnel during a violent demonstration by angry youth of Ejura, following the death of Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Macho Kaaka, a social media activist.
Kaaka had been attacked by unknown people on the night of June 26 and was on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi but died on Monday, June 28, and by the next day, his death had triggered violence in Ejura.
The military had been called in to quell the violence after it became obvious the police could not contain the situation.
Already, three people namely Fuseini Alhassan, Issaka Ibrahim and Idi Mohammed, who is believed to be the brother of Kaaka, have been appearing before a circuit court in Kumasi, charged with conspiracy and murder in connection with Kaaka’s death.
Report Presentation
Justice Koomson, presenting the report to the minister had said that, “We knew that it was a very delicate assignment with huge national expectation. We can assure you that we attached serious importance to the task we were given and treated every issue with meticulous attention and detail.”
He added that, “Having assured ourselves after listening to 22 witnesses and reviewed volumes of documents including audio and videos, we have come with our findings and proffered some recommendations. And we hope the government through your good self (minister) will give a good ear to them and try to accept and implement them.”
President’s Order
Barely 24 hours after the deadly scenes, President Akufo-Addo, had instructed the Minister of the Interior, “to conduct, forthwith, a Public Inquiry into the circumstances that led to the unfortunate occurrences of Tuesday, June 29, 2021.”
The statement which was signed by Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency said “the Interior Minister is to provide a detailed report from the Inquiry, with recommendations for appropriate action, within ten days, i.e., by July 9, 2021, to President Akufo-Addo,” adding, “The President is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias Macho Kaaka, Abdul Nasir Yussif and Murtala Mohammed. He extends sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”
The committee initially had 10 days to submit its report for the President to act on it, but in the course of the proceedings they asked for an extension of time, which was duly granted by the minister.
A total of 22 witnesses appeared before the government committee and whilst rounding up their activities, Justice Koomson had announced that out of the total number, 19 appeared before the committee in public and three others appeared in-camera due to security reasons.
He had said the committee officially kick-started it’s hearing on July 5, 2021 and ended on Friday, July 16, 2021, pointing out that prior to the sittings at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi, the committee had visited Ejura to sensitise the people.