Agona Nyakrom (C/R), Sept 27, GNA - Mr Samuel Kweku Obodai, MP for Agona West, has called on the Minister of Defence to investigate the circumstances leading to the brutality meted out to Mr Kwesi Appiah, a drinking bar operator at Agona Nyakrom, by W.O. 1 Frank Amoah and a soldier from Burma Camp, in Accra.

Mr Obodai said W.O. I Amoah and the other soldier whose name was not known traveled to Agona Nyakrom last Saturday morning and molested Mr Appiah because they alleged that the drinking bar operator had beaten his senior sister, Emma Ndea.

The MP speaking to the GNA on Sunday, said the sister of the WO I Amoah who had been running errands for the drinking operator went and requested for drinks from Mr Appiah, which he obliged.

He said the sister of the soldier went again and demanded more drinks, which the drinking operator rejected leading to a quarrel. Mr Obodai said family members of the woman informed their brother stationed at the Base Ordinance Depot, Burma Camp, that Appiah had molested his senior sister.

He said W.O.I Amoah in the company of another soldier arrived in the town, molested and attempted to take the drinking bar operator to Burma Camp for more punishment.

He said Appiah resisted and the soldiers dragged him and handed him over Appiah to the Agona Nyakrom Police with the warning that they should not grant him bail.

Mr Obodai expressed regret that in this era of democracy, soldiers would take the law into their own hands and molest civilians. He said soldiers should rather protect and defend the people in this era of rule of law.

When the GNA went to the Station Officer to ascertain the truth of the matter, he refused to mention his name but confirmed that W.O. I Amoah had reported the assault of his sister by the suspect. The Station Officer said the Police would investigate the matter and if ample evidence were deduced the suspect would be put before court.

As at the time GNA was leaving the Police Station, Mr Appiah was still in cells with the Police refusing to grant him bail. 27 Sept 04