PIPS Begins Probe Into Suspect’s ‘Suspicious’ Death In Police Custody
The Police Professional Standards Bureau, PIPS, has begun investigations into the suspicious death of a young man at Nkoranza in the Bono East Region.
The Ghana Police Service indicated in a statement that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has spoken to the family of the deceased on the phone, and “has constituted a high-powered delegation led by COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Director-General/Administration to visit Nkoranza tomorrow [Wednesday] for further engagement with all stakeholders.”
It thus entreated the public to refrain from making statements that could prejudice the outcome of the investigation.
Residents of Nkoranza are outraged by the death of Albert Donkor, who was picked up by the police, following a robbery on the Nkoranza-Kintampo road.
They believe Albert may have been targeted after chancing on a robbery scene involving some police officers.
The Police gave their own version of events leading to Albert’s death.
“In the Bono East Region, police gathered intelligence that a suspect, Albert Donkor, and a gang of five other suspected armed robbers, whose names are being withheld for investigation purposes, were involved in several armed robbery attacks in the region, including armed robbery attacks at Nkoranza on April 19 and 20, 2022.
“Based on this intelligence, an operation was conducted during which suspect Albert Donkor was shot. He was rushed to the Holy Family Hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,” portions of the statement said.
It said Albert’s arrest was part of a holistic strategy since August 2021 to nip armed robbery in the bud.
“These special anti-robbery task forces have conducted a series of intelligence-led operations which have contributed immensely to the reduction of armed robbery incidents in the affected areas.
The investigation will establish whether the operation was carried out in line with the standard operation procedures of the Service.
Meanwhile Albert’s family has filed a case at the Accra High Court seeking justice for their relative.
They are hopeful that the court’s intervention will allow for thorough investigations into the sudden death of his relative.