Funeral Violence: Suhum MP’s driver arrested

The driver of the Member of Parliament for Suhum in the Eastern Region Kofi Agyei alias Jamalo who allegedly inflicted deep machete wounds on Communication officer for Lower West Akyem, Benard Kwasi Amoani, during a melee at a funeral has been arrested by Police.

He was arrested Wednesday, September 1, 2021, after he was accompanied by a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party, NPP, turn himself up to the Suhum police.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the arrest to Kasapa News.

He said the suspect was in police custody assisting investigation.

Kasapa News gathered that Ernest Lartey aide to the MP was also arrested earlier but granted bail.

Background

Four persons sustained injuries during clashes between two rival groups of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Suhum Constituency of the Eastern Region at a funeral rite.

The injured including Bernard Kwasi Amoani, 51, a communication officer for lower West Akyem NPP who was inflicted deep cutlass wound on the forehead were admitted at Suhum government Hospital.

One of the victims Alexander Odei also suffered minor injury on the upper lip.

The chaos was triggered when Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa, and some party communicators and Serial Callers attended the funeral of the late father of one of the communicators identified as Opare on Saturday, August 28, 202

While at the funeral, the Member of Parliament and his entourage led by the Constituency chairman Frederick Ofosu also arrived.

According to Eastern Regional Grassroot Communicators “they requested that they join the entourage of the MP (Hon. Oboafo Kwadwo Asante) in extending pleasantries to the bereaved family since we are all cherished members of the NPP. After informing the PA of the MP Suhum Constituency of our decision, we were clearly informed that the MP does not recognize any of us as members; hence, we cannot join his entourage in exchanging pleasantries to our dear brother”.

Alexander Odei popularly known as Big Deal took the microphone to announce that they were leaving for other engagements but wanted to place on record that they have been prevented from greeting the MP.

“At that material moment, we were left with no option than to ask for permission to leave the funeral grounds for other equally important engagements. Our Spokesperson was therefore asked to seek permission for us to leave the funeral grounds. Upon seeking permission, our spokesperson expressed our deepest displeasure and dismay by the position of the Suhum MP and his team to disrespect hardworking grassroot communicators of our dear party in that denigrating manner.

In the process of reiterating our displeasure, disappointment, and resentment on the position of the MP, our Spokesperson was forcibly attacked by a mob of supporters of the MP who manhandled him in an uncharitable manner”

The driver of the MP Kofi Agyei alias Jamalo allegedly pulled a machete to struck the forehead of victim Benard Kwasi Amoani

“These despicable individuals also turned their attention to innocent leading members of the Eastern Regional Grassroot Communication’s Team of the NPP in an attempt to rescue our Spokesperson from harm. In the process, the driver of the MP grabbed a Machete from the vehicle of the MP and slashed the forehead of our colleague Bernard Kwasi Amoani, who was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention”.

Later in the day, Charles Gyasi, Suhum Constituency Youth Organizer accompanied by Martin Odei and Ernest Lartey, all executive members of the NPP went to the Suhum Police station to report the incident

Police together with complainants proceeded to Suhum Government Hospital where victim Kwasi Amoani was seen at the Emergency ward under stable condition responding to treatment.

Police medical forms were prepared and issued to victims to be endorsed.

The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command DSP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the incident when contacted.

He said Suhum Police command is Investigating it to bring the culprits to book.