IGP and AG sued over Seized Gun of NDC MP Aspirant

Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East, has taken legal action against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the Attorney General, and the Kasoa Regional Commander. The writ, filed at the High Court of Ghana’s Human Rights Division, seeks the return of her legally registered firearm, which was confiscated during her arrest.

Okunor is requesting a court order for the release of her seized firearm and is also demanding that the IGP, AG, and Kasoa Police Commander cover her legal fees, costs, and any additional orders the court deems appropriate.

In a recent interview on Citi FM, Okunor explained that she obtained the firearm for self-defense against Hawa Koomson, the current MP for Awutu Senya East. She alleged that Koomson had threatened her four times during the 2020 elections, with no action taken by the police.

“There is a need for me to do that because I can best protect myself and not any other person against Hawa Koomson,” Okunor stated. “When we go back to the 2019-2020 elections, Hawa Koomson pulled a gun on me on four different occasions. No arrest was made, no interrogations, no investigations, nothing. The case just died. And since the police haven’t provided any form of protection for me,” she said.

The incident leading to the current legal battle occurred on June 2, 2024, when the Ghana Police Service arrested Naa Koryoo Okunor, along with Mustapha Mohammed and Abdul Aziz Musah, for unlawful possession of a firearm. The arrests took place near the EC Office at Ofaakor while they were traveling in a Honda CRV with registration number GX-2044-19.

Okunor’s lawsuit underscores her demand for personal protection and raises questions about the police response to her previous allegations. The case highlights ongoing tensions and security concerns in the political landscape of Awutu Senya East.