The Ministry of the Interior has strongly condemned the recent physical assault of a suspect in police custody, describing the incident as an unacceptable breach of state protection and public order.
The breach occurred following heightened tensions and inflammatory statements exchanged between factions in a religious dispute, with several individuals openly inciting violence against those accused of offending religious sensibilities.
Reacting to the developments, the Ministry declared that no circumstance or allegation justifies religious intolerance or vigilante justice in the country.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement read.
The Ministry stressed that an arrested person remains under the exclusive custody and legal protection of the State regardless of the severity of the charges against them.
“Equally, no allegation of breach of law, however serious, gives any person the right to assault a suspect in police custody. The circumstances under which civilians gained access to the person in custody are therefore a matter of serious concern,” the statement added.
Following the security breach, the Minister for the Interior has directed the Inspector-General of Police to immediately launch an investigation into how civilians accessed the suspect. The directive mandates police leadership to identify and discipline any officers who facilitated or permitted the breach, while ensuring the civilian perpetrators involved in the assault are promptly arrested and prosecuted.
Supervising officers directly responsible for overseeing the custody facility will also face disciplinary action if found culpable of negligence or misconduct.
Reaffirming its commitment to upholding the rule of law, the Ministry urged law enforcement officers to handle all connected suspects impartially and without fear or favour.
“The Ministry’s position is clear: religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana. No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement concluded.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
