By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, March 21, GNA - Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, the Minister responsible for the Interior Ministry, will face Parliament to offer more information regarding the claimed search warrant conducted at the home of Dr. Ernest Addison, who previously served as the Governor of the Bank of Ghana.
The incident involves what was reported as a raid at Dr. Addison’s residence in Roman Ridge on Wednesday, March 19, carried out by well-armed officials from the National Security agency. This event has sparked worries regarding proper legal procedures and the true intentions of those involved in the operation.
Lawmakers, notably those from the opposition New Patriotic Party Minor Group in Parliament, are demanding complete transparency regarding the legitimacy and rationale behind the operation. They emphasize that Parliament should ensure the government takes responsibility for the activities of law enforcement organizations.
The Interior Minister is anticipated to explain the grounds for the search warrant and the accusations that led to this operation.
Nevertheless, Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga, has supported the action, stating that it was not an assault but a legally conducted search pursuant to a valid search warrant. "Honorable Speaker, the law enforcement officials acted appropriately when they proceeded there for a search, which is entirely legal. Therefore, referring to this as a raid is incorrect," he asserted.
In the meantime, a fresh date for the Minister’s appearance has not been set, following Mr. Ayariga’s statement that the Interior Minister won’t be free on Tuesday, March 25.
The anticipated testimony of the Interior Minister before Parliament is likely to shed light on the details of the purported raid.
The reports indicate that around 20 armed individuals, reportedly headed by Mr. Richard Jakpa, who serves as the Director of Special Operations at the National Security Secretariat, conducted an assault on the personal home of the ex-Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Addison, on Wednesday, March 19.
Witness statements suggested that the well-armed police reportedly neutralized the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) system prior to examining the residence.
The reports suggested that the well-armed individuals, including some who reportedly wore balaclavas and carried AK-47 assault rifles, insisted that Dr. Addison guide them to the " vaults" located within his residence.
Nevertheless, Dr. Addison supposedly told them that he did not have any safes or hidden money at his residence. Even so, the security team reportedly went through the entire house, having previously disabled the CCTV system.
As reported by witnesses, no safes were located, and no significant sums of money were uncovered.
The security staff reportedly departed with the CCTV monitor and control unit in tow.
Dr. Addison, along with his spouse and their relatives, are said to be traumatized after the raid.
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