An aspiring Upper East Regional Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Akumbo Awintariba, popularly known as Wakiki, was on Monday detained by security personnel following an incident involving military officers at Tilli forest in the Bawku West District.
According to sources, Wakiki was travelling from Bolgatanga to Zebilla between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. after spending the day on campaign rounds when military officers in an army vehicle intercepted him at the Tilli Forest.
The sources alleged that the officers assaulted him before escorting him to his residence in Zebilla, where they conducted a search. He was later transported to the Upper East Regional Police Headquarters in Bolgatanga and detained.
Confirming the incident exclusively with A1 Radio’s Joshua Asaah, Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP and Chairman of the Upper East Regional Bar Association, Lawyer Anthony Namoo, said the military officers had accused Wakiki of possessing a firearm.
According to him, the officers searched Wakiki’s room but did not recover any weapon.
“A group of hooded military officers working at Tilli accosted Wakiki on an allegation that he was in possession of a gun. They led him to his room and ransacked the room without finding any gun. They picked up Wakiki’s camouflage dresses that look like military uniforms. He was severely roughed up by them,” Lawyer Namoo said.
He further disclosed that the military officers initially took Wakiki to the Zebilla District Police Command, but police officers there reportedly declined to take him into custody.
“The military officers then brought him to the Regional Police Command and handed him over to the CID, where he was cautioned on a charge I am yet to see and granted bail to seek medical attention,” he added.
Wakiki, who served as the NPP Constituency Youth Organizer for Zebilla until the recent constituency executive elections, is currently seeking election as the party’s Upper East Regional Youth Organizer.
Sources said he was granted police inquiry bail at about 5:00 p.m. on the same day of his arrest following the intervention of Lawyer Namoo.
Neither the Ghana Police Service nor the Ghana Armed Forces has issued an official statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest, and both institutions have remained tight-lipped on the matter.
Although the exact offence has not been officially disclosed, it is believed the incident may be linked to Wakiki’s frequent appearance at public events wearing military-style camouflage clothing.
Under Ghana’s National Liberation Council Decree (NLCD) 177, civilians are prohibited from wearing military uniforms, camouflage clothing, or other accoutrements of the Ghana Armed Forces without lawful authority. The law seeks to prevent impersonation of military personnel, avoid public confusion, and safeguard national security.
As of the time of filing this report, no formal charges had been publicly announced against him, and security agencies had not responded to requests for comment.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah
