Jonathan Orders Probe of Ghanaian Intercepted Arms

President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the investigation into the lorry load of arms and ammunition intercepted in Ghana, which were allegedly destined for Nigeria.

THISDAY learnt that investigation so far conducted into the arm smuggling has identified one Prince Eugene Uba, a Nigerian, as the brain behind the smashed arms-running gang

Sources said immediately the news of the interception was brought to the notice of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, the president was consequently briefed and in turn, decided to personally stay on top of the situation.

Jonathan, according to sources, was appalled at the development and immediately ordered investigation into the incident and that he should be kept abreast of the findings.

Sources said the intercepted arms and ammunition included hundreds of pump action and double-action guns as well as type AA and BB cartridges, among others.

Reacting to the incident, Nigeria's High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, told THISDAY that Nigerian and Ghanaian governments had made significant progress on the matter.

"What we are trying to do now is to send the culprits to Nigeria for further investigations and appropriate action," he added.

He said the Nigerian commission was discussing with the Ghanaian authorities and negotiating the release of those in custody to facilitate their transfer back home for further investigations.

Obanikoro, who indicated his concern over the development, said from his interaction with the driver of the lorry that was the second trip they were making recently.

"Only God knows how many of such trips have been successful. If the driver could admit to having had a successful one earlier and that this was his second, then you can be sure he has made several others. "I am therefore worried but consoled by the fact that the security agencies are on top of this particular development," he said.

Obanikoro, who was optimistic that the arms incident would not be one of many cases usually swept under carpet, said he was hoping that "we'll be able to work with the Ghanaian authorities, and together, we can be on top of situations like this now and in the near future."

The Ghana Police Service which impounded the lorry load of arms last Tuesday said it acted on a tip-off by a resident in the area, adding that five persons - three Ghanaians and two Nigerians - were arrested in connection with the crime.

The suspects, Sunday Eze, Samuel Taiwo and two others are said to be in police custody, assisting with further investigations, the Deputy Commis-sioner of Police for Greater Accra Region, Rose Bio Atinga, said at a press conference

Ghana TUC calls for inquiry into the attack on journalists

The Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called for an inquiry into the attack on a Daily Guide photographer, Miss Gifty Lawson and others, covering court proceedings at an Accra Human Rights Court in Accra on Thursday.

A statement issued and signed by Mr Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the Union and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Sunday said “information reaching the TUC suggests that not only were the journalists arrested, but in the process they were subjected to severe beatings.”

It noted that they were also threatened with death by gun-toting officers of the BNI for doing no more than their duty as journalist.

The statement explained that the news report have it that Gifty Lawson in particular “was roughly handled in a sexist and Chauvinist manner characteristic of male chauvinist that have little respect for womanhood.”

It said the union wished to state clearly that such conduct was not the type of behaviour expected from the BNI or any other security agencies in the country in the performance of their duties.

It therefore called on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to book to serve as a deterrent to all.

It also reiterated that the days when security agencies of the state acts with impunity were long gone and the people would no longer appease impunity. GNA