Latif Iddris
The police administration has stated that they are yet to identify the police officers who allegedly assaulted Latif Iddris – a reporter of Joy FM – on March 27, 2018.
The victim was allegedly beaten by a group of police officers at the National Headquarters, where he had gone to report on the arrest of deputy general secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Koku Anyidoho.
The victim was left with a fractured skull while his health got deteriorated afterwards.
This compelled the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) to officially call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the police administration to ensure that the victim got justice.
The matter was also reported to the National Media Commission (NMC) and other relevant stakeholders for redress by the Multimedia Group, where Latif Iddris works.
However, a statement by the police administration signed by the director general in charge of the public affairs unit, ACP David Eklu, has said steps have been taken by the police regarding professionalism and criminal aspect of the case.
The statement read: “Following our meeting with the NMC over the issue, Multimedia wrote to the IGP indicating a willingness to settle the case. In response, the police administration requested that Multimedia should impress on Mr. Iddris (who had told the media that he could identify the officers) to co-operate with the police to enable us arrive at a conclusive determination on the reported case but Mr. Iddris is yet to respond to this call”.
He revealed that the IGP sent a delegation to Joy FM and the Multimedia Group on April 9, 2018, to assure Mr. Iddris and his colleagues that the police administration does not condone police attacks on journalists or any other person(s). Subsequently, the delegation supported Mr. Iddris to offset his initial medical expenses.
ACP Eklu noted that the Cantonment Police were investigating the criminal aspect of the case lodged by Mr. Iddris, who is yet to return his medical form to the police for investigations to continue.
He assured the public that the police administration would follow due process in the matter.
The GJA had earlier said it would not rest until the police find and punish officers who assaulted Latif Iddris.
“The GJA will not flinch in its resolve to seek justice for Latif,” the Association’s President, Affail Monney, said at a news conference in Accra.
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)
By Linda Tenyah –Ayettey