The Ghana Bar Association has condemned outrightly the lynching and burning of a military Captain serving at Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region by some youth.
The Association says the act is an affront to the country’s democracy and must not be tolerated.
The deceased, Captain Maxwell Mahama was attacked by some townfolks who claim it was because they suspected the soldier, who was in civilian clothing and armed, of being an armed robber.
In a statement copied to citifmonline.com, the Association said the culprits in the matter must be dealt with according to law to serve as a deterrent to others.
While calling on citizens to exercise restraint and avoid retaliation, the GBA urged the police and security agencies investigating the matter to speed up the process.
The Ghana Bar Association also expressed regret over a recent violent protest carried out by some residents in Somanya that resulted in the vandalism of a police station and set on fire a police vehicle.
It charged the various security agencies in the country to demonstrate good leadership in responding appropriately to all incidents of violence stemming from a growing incident of lawlessness to guarantee the peace and security of citizens.
Read the full statement below
GHANA BAR ASSOCIATION’S STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE KILLING OF CAPTAIN MAXWELL ADAM MAHAMA AND OTHER ISSUES OF LAWLESSNESS
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has heard with shock the tragic and horrific killing of Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), by a mob at Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region.
The GBA wishes to commiserate with the bereaved family and GAF and hereby expresses its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. It is the prayer of GBA that the Almighty God will comfort them and grant them peace.
The Bar finds mob actions purportedly exercised to punish suspected or alleged offenders very unacceptable and an affront to the rule of law under the Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana. They have grave consequences, and are serious threats to our democracy.
The GBA therefore calls upon the security and law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to other like-minded persons.
In the interim, we urge all concerned to exercise restraint, not to take the law into their own hands or engage in any acts of retribution.
The GBA also condemns the actions of the persons who rioted in Somanya, in the Eastern Region and in the process destroyed state properties and would reiterate its call for the offenders to be arrested, charged and prosecuted.
The GBA notes with serious concern the general lawlessness prevailing and urges the security agencies to respond appropriately to ensure that the rule of law, peace and security of our country are guarded jealously at all times.
ISSUED IN ACCRA, THIS 30TH DAY OF MAY 2017
BENSON NUTSUKPUI
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
JUSTIN A. AMENUVOR
NATIONAL SECRETARY
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