Short Commission visits site of violence; counts 19 bullet marks

The Emile Short Commission’s visit to La Bawaleshie Friday morning was to get a full appreciation of the effects of the January 31 disturbances in the area.

The visit, according to the Executive Secretary to the Commission, Ernest Kofi Abotsi, will also help the Commission to “synthesise the facts together with the oral evidence left before it by witnesses.”

Emphasising the relevance of the inspection, Mr. Abotsi said the Commissioners “have seen things a thousand words cannot relay.”

Private legal practitioner, Kofi Abotsi is Executive Secretary to the Commission

He added that the outcome of their work, which is the recommendations must support the fact on the ground.

What did the Commissioners see?

The three Commissioners, Chairperson, former High Court Judge, Justice Emile Short, law lecturer, Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu of a former police chief, Patrick Acheampong went around the vicinity gathering evidence.

Among the spots they prioritised were the scene of the shooting and the home of the NDC’s Parliamentary candidate in the January 31, by-elections, Delali Brempong; which witnessed some action.

The garage of Delali Brempong

Kofi Abotsi told pressmen the Commission has taken notice of the gunshot marks on trees and some containers around and the direction of the shots.

On examination, experts on site say the shots must have been fired from high-velocity weapons. They also said the shots were targetted and not meant as warning shots.

Commission turns down a request to see a garage

In the home of Mr. Brempong, the Commission did their inspection and were also taken around by the Brempong.

He showed the Commission some containers where he said caustic soda was kept.

He also offered to open his garage for inspection but the Commission did not think it necessary.

The said house is where the National Security operatives stormed on the day of the violence on the suspicion that arms were being stockpiled.

What next?

According to Kofi Abotsi, the Commission will continue its sitting next week with bigwigs like the  IGP David Asante Apeatu.

He said officials of local election observers, CODEO and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) are also expected to testify.

Abotsi also told pressmen the Commission hopes to meet the one-month deadline set by the President to complete its work.

Source: Ghana| Myjoyonline.com