Police begins investigation into Nigerian pirates court fiasco

General News of Friday, 13 February 2015

Source: myjoyonline.com

Mark Woyongo Min Interior

The police administration has begun preliminary investigations into how state officials failed to present suspected Nigerian pirates before an Accra Magistrate Court, Wednesday.

Superintendent Cephas Arthur told JoyNews it is more a case of negligence of duty than a purported shortage of fuel to transport the suspected pirates.

State prosecutor Victor Dosu had told an Adjabeng Magistrate court presided over by Her Worship Efua Sakyi that there was no fuel to transport the nine suspects to the court on Wednesday.

The case had to be adjourned to February 19, 2015 as a result.

However Cephas Arthur is adamant that “lack of fuel can never be cited.” The police surmise negligence of duty and “appropriate sanctions will be taken,” he hinted.

According to him three officials have been invited already to assist with investigations and the necessary sanctions will be taken after the investigations.

“It is a grave offence,” he told Joy News’ Fred Smith.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mark Woyongo has vehemently denied reports suggesting the police is unable to effectively carry out some of its duties such as patrols and conveying prisoners to court due to fuel shortage.

According to the reports, the Police Service’s fuel suppliers had withdrawn supply due to the Service’s indebtedness to them.

As a result, some police vehicles were said to have been grounded.

However Mark Woyongo told JoyNews the administration has settled its debts.

According to him, they have issued a cheque paying off the debts owed to the suppliers and have received over 30,000 gallons of fuel.

It cannot therefore be the case that the administration has run out of fuel, Woyongo stated.