General News of Monday, 21 January 2013

Source: Joy Online

Police warns cane-wielding supporters to stay off Supreme Court premises

The Police have warned that they will not hesitate to arrest any person or persons who throng the courts, with canes or offensive weapons to disrupt activities there.

The warning is coming after some supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) thronged an area close to the Supreme Court last week, with canes.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) decried the move, urging the NDC to restrain its supporters.

DSP Freeman Tettey, Greater Accra Police Public Relations Officer speaking on the Joy FM's Super Morning Show Monday, warned that such actions will not be tolerated, adding that culprits will be dealt with.

He assured that “what happened the other day will not reoccur” and that the police will extend its security coverage within and around the courts.

“Anybody, any group of persons who might gather there must be questioned and if possible no gathering [there],” so that people can use the road smoothly, he added.

DSP Freeman Tettey warned that, “Anybody who wields a cane or any offensive weapon will be arrested immediately, because we are not going to renege on our commitment to ensure that there is total security in the area.”

He said the police accept that there were some lapses “in the system that might have caused this unfortunate situation just outside the premises of the Supreme Court,” but assured that after a lengthy meeting and analysis, “there is the need for us to strengthen security” at the court.

The police he noted will extend security to the environs of the courts even though persons who wielded canes at the courts last week did not attack anybody.