Arrest and Molestation of Citi FM Journalists: Governance Watch speaks

Governance Watch Ghana (GWGh) – a think tank has called on the government to thoroughly investigate issues surrounding the arrest and molestation of Citi FM/TV’s Caleb Kudah, and the handling of his colleague Zoe Abu Baidoo-Addo, and the report made public with punitive measures instituted against operatives of National Security who would be found guilty of acting beyond their boundaries.

Read their statement below

STATEMENT ON THE HANDLING OF CITI FM JOURNALISTS BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY

We have followed keenly the happenings over the past few days having to do with some journalists of an Accra based Citi FM and the National Security. We have particularly taken notice of the narratives by the journalists, watched CCTV video footages of the entry into the private facility of Citi FM to pick up a female journalist as well as a statement issued by the National Security Ministry.

We are mindful of the fact that security installations are expected to be kept off public view to enable their purpose to be achieved. Security is an important aspect of every state hence great importance is attached to their operations. However, we also understand that a journalist owes the nation a duty to inform the public of wrongs that are haboured inside such installations.

We have heard the account of Mr. Caleb Kudah on the very purpose that got him into the facility, and are convinced that his act was in the interest of the public if that was the only purpose for his presence in the premises of the National Security Ministry.

Having arrested Mr. Kudah, we expected the National Security operatives to act with a sense of responsibility and respect for human life more so that of a journalist and appreciate the work they do to bring everyone in check. The accounts of Mr. Kudah of having been beaten, is an act of backwardness, unacceptable and needs to be condemned in no uncertain terms. No matter the crime a citizen is said to have committed, the right of the individual to be accorded dignity, must not be taken away at the whims and caprices of any individual or state institution.

Mr. Kudah recounted how his phone was taken away from him and used to chat his colleague journalist. Indeed, this account was corroborated by Miss. Zoe Abu Baidoo, his colleague who was eventually taken to the National Security facility and ordered to enter into her personal phone to delete the pictures purported to have been forwarded to her by her colleague in addition to her personal information on her phone.

We consider this act a step beyond the boundaries of the operatives of the National Security. Consistently, these mistakes are committed over and over again by our security institutions per our observations in the not too distant past.

We are of the view that our security personnel take the time to apprise themselves with their regulations and other laws that grant rights to citizens even when they are arrested. It is unacceptable that these abuses are recorded at every turn when people are reportedly picked up by security agencies for interrogation or whatever reasons.

We find it interesting that the very leader of the National Security team that operated at Ayawaso West Wuogon in January of 2019, DSP Samuel Azugu who was recommended to be removed from that office by the Justice Emile Short’s Commission, remains at post and superintended over these reported heinous acts.

We are by this release calling on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the issues surrounding the arrest and molestation of Mr. Kudah, the handling of his colleague Miss. Abu Baidoo and the report made public with punitive measures instituted against operatives who would be found guilty of acting beyond their boundaries.

Signed:
Stephen Kwabena Attuh
Fred Adomako Williams
Adotey Michell

(0547349026)