The Detective Inspector of East Legon Police Station has given another version of the number of gunshots that were fired during the violence that marred the Ayawaso by-elections.
His account is different from those given by others who have appeared before the Short Commission, including the National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah, who said only six shots were fired by his men.
Gunshots have become a major part of the Emile Short Commission’s probe not only because persons appearing before it are contradicting themselves but some election watchers and voters sustained injuries believed to be gunshot wounds during the by-election.
But testifying before the Commission Monday, Sulemana Jallo Abdulai said, aside the three spent shells which were given to him by a crime officer, DSP Abena Kwabena, from the crime scene upon his visit to the Bawaleshie polling station; he saw 37 other spent shells in the hands of a certain man, who identified himself as Wala Youth Chief.
“I spotted Wala youth chief holding a plain rubber (polyethene) bag containing empty shells. Some pressmen also rushed on him but he said he was reserving his comments. Approximately I counted 37 empty shells,” he told the Commission.
President Nana Akufo-Addo through an executive instrument, established the Emile Short Commission of Inquiry to among other things, make a full, faithful and impartial inquiry into the circumstances of, and establish the facts leading to, the events and associated violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election on January 31.
The different accounts of the number of gunshots fired in the course of the violence is not limited to these two individuals.
Benjamin Tagoe, a neighbor who testified before the Commission on Monday said about 20 shots were fired. According to Joy News’ February 14, edition of Top Story, reporters also picked 49 gunshot sounds captured in audio[ attached to this story].
