Ghanaian security operatives have denied torturing an editor of online news portal ModernGhana, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, while in their custody.
Abugri has said that he was tortured and beaten by National Security operatives while in detention following a raid of their office and their subsequent arrest.
Mr Abugri, who was released on Saturday, 29 June 2019, said he was not spared by his captors who, he claimed took turns to hit and taser him.
However, the National Security said there was no physical abuse on the suspect.
“The National Security Council Secretariat has taken notice of reports that Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri, one of the two suspects from Modern Ghana who was arrested for engaging in cyber-crimes, has made claims of being subjected to acts of torture whilst in the custody of its officers.
“The Secretariat takes a very serious view of these claims, and wishes to state, in no uncertain terms that these allegations are false. We consider it to be a clear and deliberate attempt by the suspect to discredit the investigations and the case against him. Torture and manhandling of suspects are not part and parcel of the culture and architecture of the secretariat under the administration of President Akufo-Addo,” a statement from National Security said.
It added: “We wish to categorically state that the suspect during questioning, was never manhandled, neither was he subjected to any form of forced physical contact.
“The Secretariat is pleased to note that, upon the suspect being handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service, the Police has requested that a medical investigation on the suspect be undertaken immediately.
“We are confident that the results of the medical examination will present the truth in the matter, so as to inform the appropriate steps to be taken.”
Court
Ajarfor is expected to be arraigned in court today.
“In the meantime, the suspect will be arraigned before court on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, and the charges preferred against him will be made known.
“The Secretariat reassures the general public that it will at all times continue to respect the rule of law in all of its operations,” the statement added.
Source: Daily Mail GH
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