Regional News of Sunday, 24 July 2016

Source: Saaka Alhassan, Tamale

Regional Minister's brother under police investigation

The Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah has disclosed that the brother of the Northern regional Minister, Abubakari Iddrissu who allegedly masterminded the political violence between supporters of the Opposition New Patriotic Party and the NDC has been arrested.

He told the media that the case has since been transferred to the regional headquarters for further investigations. Supporters of the two main political parties clashed in Walewale Township last week where two youth groups simultaneously launched their campaign activities.

These are the NPP's Bawumia Youth for Change and the NDC's Zaadiaya Youth group fronting for the Northern regional Minister who doubles as the party's Parliamentary candidate for Walewale constituency.

One Abubakari Iddrissu who is the brother of the Northern Regional minister according to reports allegedly masterminded the violence.

The opposition NPP in a press conference accused the NDC and the Northern regional Minister of stockpiling arms to cause mayhem in the upcoming election, an accusation the NDC has since denied.

But addressing political parties and the media in the region on how to establish a common platform to share vital information on how to ensure a peaceful election in the country, DCOP Yeboah said most of the allegations are unsubstantiated and unfounded.

He stated that the complainant has refused to assist the police in their investigation until the suspect is kept into custody.

He said the case is not a non-bailable offence explaining that even now murder cases are bailable.

According to DCOP Ken Yeboah the suspect statement is inconsistent with the evidence on the ground and the police is yet to verify the medical report of the complainant.