The Ghana Police Service has assured the public of a thorough investigation into claims by renowned Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama that he was assaulted by police officers in Tamale.
The assurance follows a meeting between Mr Mahama and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), alongside members of the Police Management Board, as part of ongoing efforts to address the incident, which reportedly occurred on March 21.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said the IGP had personally engaged Mr. Mahama and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
“Following the incident in Tamale on the 21st of March, the Inspector General of Police extended an invitation to Mr Ibrahim Mahama. Today he came with a delegation to meet with the IGP and members of the Police Management Board,” she said.
She explained that the IGP listened to Mr. Mahama’s account of events and gave assurances that investigations would continue.
“The IGP listened to his side of the story, and he assured him that investigations will continue so we get to the bottom of this matter,” she added.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi noted that the Police Service had already initiated inquiries shortly after the incident came to the attention of the IGP.
“As soon as it came to the IGP’s attention, he directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau to commence an investigation, and we assured the public that both the criminal investigation and the professional conduct investigation would go on side by side,” she said.
She disclosed that significant progress had already been made at the regional level. According to her, officers have taken statements from Mr Mahama and his team, visited the scene of the alleged incident, and also checked on him at his residence.
Providing further updates, she said the IGP has now escalated the matter to ensure a more comprehensive probe.
“He has directed that the CID Headquarters take over the investigation. He has also directed the Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau to expedite action,” she stated.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi said that the Police Service is committed to working with the artist throughout the process.
“Our assurance to Mr Ibrahim Mahama is that the police are willing to work with him throughout the investigation process so we get to the end of this,” she said, adding that he had been assured of a “thorough investigation”.
She also revealed that Mr Mahama acknowledged his past relationship with the Police Service during the meeting.
“He recounted to the police how much the police have been useful to him in his business… and that he has been a friend of the police,” she noted, describing the incident as unfortunate.
The Police Service has promised accountability if wrongdoing is established. “Any persons found culpable will be taken through the due process of the law,” she said.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi called on the public to remain calm as investigations continue. She assured that both Mr Mahama and the public would be kept informed of developments as the process unfolds.
“So we call for calm and have asked that they remain calm, and we’ll keep them updated, and we’ll keep the public updated as well as both investigations evolve,” she said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com