New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist Daniel Adomako, popularly known on social media as Sir Obama Pokuase, has accused the Ghana Police Service of subjecting him to a dehumanising experience during his arrest on Wednesday, August 13.
The Police, in a statement, claimed he was arrested in an intelligence-led operation targeting the illegal possession and public display of sophisticated weapons. The operation, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, followed the circulation of images and videos allegedly shared by Mr. Adomako on social media, showing individuals openly brandishing high-grade firearms.
While the Police insisted he was needed to assist in investigations, the manner of his arrest at dawn has attracted widespread condemnation.
Speaking after his release on Eko Sii Sen on Asempa FM, Mr. Adomako recounted that he was picked up around 3:45 a.m. when armed officers broke through his kitchen before forcing their way into his bedroom, where he was with his wife.
“They broke into my room, which has a wooden door, and forcibly entered, destroying valuables. Then they entered my bedroom, and I was in shorts, and they whisked me away with two V-8s blaring sirens. These were eight fully armed men,” he narrated.
Read Also: Police arrest NPP activist ‘Sir Obama Pokuase’ over illegal arms display
Mr. Adomako said he was first detained at the National Signals Bureau at Labone before being transferred to the Police CID headquarters, where interrogation began. His lawyers and party elders later joined the process.
He was subsequently charged and put before court, where he pleaded guilty. Upon his lawyers’ request, he was granted bail of GHS 50,000 with two sureties, one of whom had to be a salaried government worker. However, he claimed the Court Registrar declined to process the bail that same day, leading to his continued detention.
“It was really sad. It was as if I were a hardened criminal. If indeed you’re calling me as a suspect to assist in investigations, you don’t treat me like this,” he said.
According to him, he remained in Police custody from Wednesday to Monday before finally being released. His phones, laptops, and other electronic devices were seized as exhibits.
Just after meeting his bail conditions, Mr Adomako said he was informed of another case brought against him dating back to 2020, involving Ghana’s current High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mrs. Sabah Zita Benson.
He explained that both parties had filed complaints against each other at the time, but never pursued the matter further. The case, however, was unexpectedly revived following his recent arrest.
Mr Adomako noted that neither of them eventually followed up with the case, and he assumed it was a dead matter until it resurfaced recently following his arrest for a different case.
“So, this matter came to me as a surprise when it came up this afternoon. But as you lawyers say, crime has no expiry,” he remarked.
He, however, disclosed that a compromise was reached and that the matter has since been settled.
Read Also: Fact-check: Sir-Obama Pokuase’s viral gun photo not linked to Ghana – It’s a 16-year-old stock image
Mr Adomako maintains that he is being targeted by political opponents who want to instill fear in him because he is seen as a strong critic. He questioned the genuineness of the reasons given by the Police Service for his arrest, claiming that the video he shared online was rather helpful in aiding police investigations into criminal activity.
Mr Adomako, who has also been very critical of the current Inspector General of Police and has repeatedly demanded his removal on social media, believes that may have played a role in the actions taken against him by the Police.
Watch the interview with Sir Obama Pokuase below:
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