The Ashanti Regional Police Command has stated that it will not shield any of its officers found culpable in the case of a civilian who was allegedly beaten to death for breaking the lockdown directives.

A police statement indicated that the said officers had spotted the deceased Tweneboah Koduah, aged 33 years at Konkori a village near Trede in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region, publicly smoking Indian hemp.

The statement added that on seeing the Police vehicle approaching he took to his heels but was chased and subsequently arrested. A search immediately conducted on him revealed he had on him dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in a brown envelope in his pocket.

The police added that the suspect was arrested and put in the bucket of the Service vehicle to Trede Police Station. The deceased is alleged to have jumped from the moving vehicle and hit his head on the ground sustaining a cut on his occiput. He was rushed to Gary Marvin Hospital at Trede for treatment, where he was admitted.

Below is the full statement

1. It has come to the attention of the Ashanti Regional Police Command of an online story on MyNews Gh.com, captioned “COVID-19 lockdown Police beats man to death in Kumasi”.

2. Preliminary investigation has it that the Officers involved in the story are from the Regional Visibility Headquarters and were deployed on a normal everyday night Police patrol duty and not on “Operation COVID Safety” duty, as was reported in the story.

3. The said officers had spotted the deceased Tweneboah Koduah, aged 33years at Konkori a village near Trede in the Atwima Kwawoma District of the Ashanti Region, publicly smoking Indian hemp.

That on seeing the Police vehicle approaching he took to his heels but was chased and subsequently arrested. A search immediately conducted on him revealed he had on him dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in a brown envelope in his pocket.

4. He was arrested and put in the bucket of the Service vehicle to Trede Police Station. The deceased is alleged to have jumped from the moving vehicle and hit his head on the ground sustaining a cut on his occiput. He was rushed to Gary Marvin Hospital at Trede for treatment, where he was admitted.

5. On Tuesday 7th April 2020 at about 3:00 pm, he was referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further treatment but died on the morning of Wednesday 8th April 2020.

6. The Regional Police Command has received different reports from the family of the deceased, eyewitnesses and the Police. The Command has therefore tasked the Regional Crime Officer to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident.

7. The Regional Command takes a very serious view of the incident and will not shield any person found to have been culpable. The Regional Police Command, therefore, urges the family of the deceased and all persons who have any information, pictures or videos on the incident are invited to come to the Regional Crime Officer to assist in the investigation.

8. The Police wish to remind all residents of our commitment to protecting life and property.