Akufo-Addo suspends Sekondi-Takoradi MCE for assaulting a police officer
Abdul Mumin Issah, the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi, has been suspended by President Nana Akufo-Addo.
His suspension comes after he was arrested on Thursday and arraigned before the court today, Friday for verbally assaulting a police officer and engaging in abusive behaviour when he was stopped for dangerous driving.
On Friday, February 4, 2022, Local Government Minister Dan Botwe issued a statement announcing the suspension.
“On the instructions of the President, the Metropolitan Chief Executive for Sekondi-Takoradi Assembly, Mr. Abdul Mumin Issah has been suspended from office with immediate effect pending an inquiry into his encounter with the Police on February 3, 2022,” the statement said.
The MCE and a police officer, Superintendent Andrew Sarfo, had an altercation near the Kwesimintsim Cemetery on the night of Thursday, February 3, 2022, which was captured on tape and circulated on social media, in which the government appointee was heard threatening the police officer with a transfer, among other things.
He also described the officer as “ugly” and said he would have beaten him to death if the officer had challenged him for driving on the shoulders of the road to move past a police snap checkpoint. The police officer was overheard questioning the MCE’s authority and threatening him with the law.
The MCE’s views, according to Dan Botwe’s statement, are counter to the government’s principles.
“Government takes a very dim view of the comments made by the Metropolitan Chief Executive during his exchanges with the Police… The comments by the Chief Executive run contrary to the Government’s belief and work to ensure that our Security agencies and indeed Public Agencies are resourced, empowered and accorded the respect to deliver on their mandates,” the statement indicated.
Abdul Mumin Issa was arrested and charged with assault on a public official, offensive behaviour, and disturbing the peace at the regional police command.
He was also charged with driving carelessly and inconsiderately, as well as endangering other road users.
He pleaded not guilty on his first appearance in court on Friday, February 4, 2022, and was granted a GHS100,000 bail with three sureties.
The matter has subsequently been deferred, with the next hearing scheduled for March 17, 2022.
Meanwhile, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, has been given supervisory power over the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis.
Source: Richard Mensah Adonu | Join our Telegram Group
