Ministry-led inquiry not good enough, we reject it-Minority to President

The minority in parliament has rejected the probe ordered by the president to be championed by the Interior Minister to unravel the causes of the Ejura disturbance that has so far led to the death of about 3 people.

Reacting to the directive of the President, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the minority leader rejected what he described as ‘ministerial-led inquiry insisting that it is not good enough. He noted that the minority will only accept a full-scale probe constituted under Article 278 of the 1992 Constitution.

“The President’s instruction is for a ministerial inquiry- we reject it. That is not good enough. We want a commission of inquiry within the meaning of Article 278 of the constitution. The President must appoint a sole commissioner or two or more persons to support a commissioner, just like the Ayawaso West Wugoun by-election violence commission of inquiry”, he indicated.

In a statement signed by Eugene Arhin, the Director of Communications at the Presidency, it noted that “The President is deeply saddened by the deaths of Ibrahim Mohammed, alias ‘Kaaka’, Abdul Nasir Yussif, and Murtala Mohammed. He extends sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.”

The President also tasked the Minister of Interior, Mr. Ambrose Dery to constitute a probe into the matter, which should submit its findings within 10 days.

However, the minority placed full responsibility for the killings on the President and further accused him of turning the country into a” police state.”

Furthermore, they recounted what has become the government’s penchant for disrespecting and manhandling fundamental rights, freedom, and dignity of the citizenry.

“The excesses of the police and the military in Ejura resulted in the loss of lives of three other persons, added to Ibrahim Muhammed, alias Kaaka. There is the complicity of state security agencies, and they can absolve themselves. We want to see the President appoint a Justice of the Supreme Court or retired justice of the Supreme Court to lead this process because we will ultimately accept recommendations that call for reforms”, added, the minority leader.

The Ejura incidence and killing is a fall out of the death of a social activist known as Ibrahim Mohammed popularly called ‘Kaaka’ on Monday, June 28, 2021.

His family notes that he received several threats as a result of his social activism and is even convinced that his killing was a result of that role.

After the burial on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, some residents of Ejura had a confrontation with a team of police and military personnel, leading to the death of two persons who were shot by some soldiers. The Police claim the protestors had become rowdy and were pelting the security personnel with stones.

So far, 2 more people have died since ‘Kaaka’ was buried with others receiving treatment at the hospital from the various degrees of injury.