General News of Friday, 18 January 2019

Source: Daniel Kaku

Anas partner's death: 'We demand for the arrest of Kennedy Agyapong' - NDC

MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is demanding the immediate arrest of the NPP's MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong over the Wednesday night's gruesome murder of investigative journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a key member of the private investigative firm, Tiger Eye PI.

Ahmed Hussein-Suale until his untimely death, was an undercover investigative journalist working for the Tiger Eye publications led by Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

Mr. Hussien-Suale was shot twice in the chest and once in the neck in the Accra suburb of Madina at about 23:00 GMT on Wednesday night, January 16, 2019 reports say.

The late journalist who was a key member of the Tiger Eye group was murdered by unknown gunmen, late Wednesday night when he was on his way home. He was shot three times.

So many Ghanaians including the sitting President Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama have expressed their shock over the incident and have also urged the Ghana Police and other security agencies to bring the killers of the undercover journalist to book.

Meanwhile, the police has commenced investigation into the incident and urged the general public to assist them with vital information to uproot these murders (nation destroyers)

The police CID on Thursday, January 17, 2019 interrogated Kennedy Agyapong who was the first person to expose the Ahmed pictures on his private TV, Net2 during the #12 video saga.



In excerpts of the viral video, Mr Ken Agyapong who appears to be on a show on his television station, NET2 Television, displayed pictures of Ahmed, and described him as a dangerous man and told viewers that he lived in Madina.

In that video he showed the images of Ahmed and said he is a bad guy and should be seriously beaten anytime someone sees him and that he, Hon Kennedy Agyapong is ready to pay for that beating at any level.

Currently, Kennedy Agyapong is not in Ghana, he left this country to China yesterday for a private business.

The Police CID has assured the public of continuing investigating Hon. Kennedy Agyapong and also Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

But in a statement issued by the NDC party and signed by its General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia accused Kennedy Agyapong of knowing something about the death of the late undercover journalist, Ahmed and therefore demand for the arrest of Ken Agyapong.

The NDC therefore, has cautioned against the mere scapegoating of Mr Kennedy Agyapong is a rouse to cover up a potentially more sinister plot behind this killing.

"We have also noted public outcry and demand for the arrest of Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central. While taking a serious view of his outrageous call for the assault of the late journalist and agreeing in principle with his questioning for possible involvement in this crime, we caution against the mere scapegoating of Mr. Agyapong as a ruse to cover up a potentially more sinister plot behind this killing", the opined.

The statement added "Given the huge embarrassment the ‘Number 12’ video brought to persons at the highest levels of government, especially the exposure of a bribe collection syndicate at the Presidency hemmed by President Akufo-Addo himself, we expect that any investigation into the killing of Ahmed Suale would be all-encompassing".

The statement cautioned "We expect that no one, irrespective of their exalted position, would be deemed untouchable in the investigations".

The statement however has commiserated with the family and loved ones of late Ahmed and also all his associates at Tiger Eye PI.

"The NDC wishes to commiserate with the family and loved ones of Ahmed and all his associates at Tiger Eye PI. We pray that Allah comforts you in this difficult time and grant his soul eternal rest", the statement said

Below is the full statement

NDC CONDEMNS BRUTAL MURDER OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST, AHMED HUSSEIN-SUALE AND CALLS FOR SPEEDY INVESTIGATIONS INTO INCIDENT

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) condemns, the brutal murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a member of the Tiger Eye PI, an investigative outfit headed by Ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas.

The NDC wishes to commiserate with the family and loved ones of Ahmed and all his associates at Tiger Eye PI. We pray that Allah comforts you in this difficult time and grant his soul eternal rest.



This heinous crime has shaken the media fraternity in Ghana to the core and has the potential to reverse the gains we have made in the promotion of press freedom. This incident also portends great danger for the already-wobbly fight against corruption, and reduces Ghana's standing in the comity of nations as a shining light of democracy and free speech.

The NDC adds its voice to the many calls by well-meaning Ghanaians on our security agencies to ensure the speedy apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of this cowardly act. We decry the recent spate of violent crimes resulting in the brutal murder of five innocent Ghanaians within the last one month. The current situation evokes a sort of lawlessness that demonstrates failure on the part of the Akufo-Addo government to live up to its most fundamental responsibility - guaranteeing the safety and security of Ghanaians.

There is no doubt, in the wake of the recent gruesome killings that we are in an era of contract killings reminiscent of the final years of the previous NPP Administration. The impunity and nonchalance with which these murders have been carried out, point to an emboldening of the criminals behind them, which stems directly from the unacceptably weak response from government and security agencies.

We have also noted public outcry and demand for the arrest of Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central. While taking a serious view of his outrageous call for the assault of the late journalist and agreeing in principle with his questioning for possible involvement in this crime, we caution against the mere scapegoating of Mr. Agyapong as a ruse to cover up a potentially more sinister plot behind this killing. Given the huge embarrassment the ‘Number 12’ video brought to persons at the highest levels of government, especially the exposure of a bribe collection syndicate at the Presidency hemmed by President Akufo-Addo himself, we expect that any investigation into the killing of Ahmed Suale would be all-encompassing. We expect that no one, irrespective of their exalted position, would be deemed untouchable in the investigations.

The rapid decent of our country into lawlessness and insecurity, characterized by these assassinations and gangster-style executions, speaks to the weak leadership of President Akufo-Addo.

Beyond flowery rhetoric, he is clearly unable to get a handle on the key issues affecting the people, not least among them security. The current fragile and tenuous security situation prevailing in the country is further demonstration of the cluelessness that has defined his Presidency.



It is sad and disappointing that a government which has in our recent history appointed the highest number of ministers in the area of security, will superintend over the alarming and growing levels of insecurity we are
witnessing in the country today.

We call on President Akufo-Addo to put an end to his passive and aloof style of governance and adopt a more hands-on, problem-solving approach especially in the face of the upsurge in violent crimes and unexplained killings.

We demand an immediate plan from the Akufo-Addo government which sets out a clear and comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting Ghanaians and halting these violent killings.

The lives of innocent Ghanaians are at stake and the President must act now.

SGD.

JOHNSON ASIEDU NKETIA

(GENERAL SECRETARY)

NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS - NDC