.District Commander Pummels CID Boss To Pulp

By Stanley Park

It was a free-for-all fight last Wednesday at the Akwatia Roman Catholic Basic School as the District Police Commander landed hefty blows on Chief Inspector Matthew Ewe, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department there. ASP Samuel Kofi Odamey was incensed by the action of his CID head to investigate a case of rape involving a pupil of the school.

In the ensuing upper-hand multiple blows from the District Commander, the CID chief was reported to have sustained some bruises in the presence of the school heads and pupils.

Chief Inspector Matthew Ewe also had his smock partly torn to shreds. The incident was a stunner with many wondering why two senior police chiefs would throw professionalism and caution to the wind and have an open brawl. Divisional Police Commander of Oda, Chief Supt. Akorli told Ghana Daily via phone yesterday that he has launched investigation into the matter. “The Crime Officer has reported a case of assault to us. My CID in charge here would move to Akwatia very soon.

“I have to tell you that the case is a bit cumbersome. This is because the District Commander is also claiming that he has queried the crime officer for ethical work inadequacies,” he said.

Chief Supt Akorli further said with the matter involving two senior officers, there is no doubt this has dire consequences for the Police Service in general and ought to be investigated quickly for the appropriate steps to be taken. In a separate interview, the beleaguered Akwatia District Police Commander flatly denied that he pummeled his CID officer.

“I have nothing to tell you. This is something between two senior officers. Why should I be discussing it with a journalist like you? There was no altercation,” ASP Odamey said and hanged up on his mobile phone. Investigations by this paper revealed that the Akwatia District Commander did not want a case of rape on a school pupil (name withheld for ethically obvious reasons) to be investigated, hence his fury on the actions of the CID head. The age of the victim had been twisted by some police officers who have been compromised in order for the accused (name withheld for now) to escape justice. Sources say many rape cases processed by the Akwatia Police for court end up being dismissed because of wishy-washy massaging of the age of victims. Akwatia police insiders say it has been the new order of the crime investigation department to ensure that this matter involving a pupil of the R.C. Basic School is properly investigated before heading for court.

And feverish attempts are ongoing at the top echelons of the Akwatia Police to scuttle this investigation, this paper can confidently report.

There is a lurking disquiet among police officers in Akwatia over the public display of pugilistic skills by the two senior officers.

The Crime Officer, Chief Inspector Matthew Ewe was not readily available for comment at the time of filing this report but sources close to him told this reporter he wanted the assault case fully investigated and his Commander brought to book, else he would continue his intemperate marauding run on other officers. Investigations continue!