Gbese factions told to observe peace

THE Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has appealed to the two factions in the Gbese chieftaincy dispute to observe the peace until all issues pending at the courts are determined.
Consequently, it said, the police had been instructed to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in the area.
A release issued in Accra by the REGSEC and signed by the Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council, Mr F.T. Nartey, advised members of the feuding parties and the police not to act in a way that would undermine the security in the area.
Earlier, the Nii Ayi-Bonte faction had accused the James Town District Police Commander, Supt E. K. Asare, of supporting the Nii Okaidja III faction.
But in his reaction, Supt Asare denied the allegations levelled against him and said he was only performing his traditional role as a policeman.
He said nothing would influence him to compromise his neutrality as a public official, and noted that a police patrol team had been temporarily stationed at Gbese to maintain law and order.
He said upon a tip-off that the Nii Okaidja III faction were wielding guns and offensive weapons, his men went there and were able to retrieve eight empty shells of cartridges at the scene of the clash but they found no weapons during their search.
Supt Asare said one of the victims, Mr Charles Lamptey, who sustained gunshot wounds after the clash, reported at the station and he was issued with a police medical report form to attend hospital for treatment and report back for further investigations.
“On Friday January 23, 2009, Mr Lamptey, who is a Fire Service worker stationed at Winneba and a native of Gbese, returned his medical report form and led the police to Gbese where he identified three suspects believed to be supporters of Nii Okaidja III, as his assailants,” he added.
Subsequently, he said, the three were arrested and on January 24, 2009, Mr Lamptey identified Alex Aryee as the person who shot him when an identification parade was organised at the James Town Police Station.
He said Aryee had, however, been charged and would soon be arraigned.
Supt. Asare said apart from the report by Mr Lamptey, no one else had reported to them concerning the clash.
He said after the arrest, the police went to the area the following day and realised that more people sustained gunshot wounds but they had not reported to the police.
He said the police conducted a search at the Gbese Mantse’s Palace, which was alleged to have some ammunitions concealed there, but no weapon was found.
Supt. Asare said checks were also conducted on some vehicles that were alleged to be carrying weapons but again nothing was found in them.
He also said a search was conducted on the premises of the three suspects but no weapons were found.