The ministry of national security says investigations have commenced into the alleged manhandling of Citi FM reporters Caleb Kudah and Zoe Abu-Baidoo.
Caleb Kudah was taken into custody by national security operatives after he was caught reportedly filming abandoned vehicles at the national security headquarters.
His colleague Zoe Abu-Baidoo was also subsequently picked up at the Citi FM premises in Rambo style because she had in possession some of the footage taken by Caleb.
Caleb has narrated how officers of the state security agency abused him.
But the ministry has denied these allegations saying the outfit strives at all times to uphold the ethics and professional standards guiding operational duties.
A statement said the journalist entered the premises of the National Security under false pretense.
“The Ministry of National Security has taken note of claims by Mr. Caleb Kudah and Ms. Zoe Abu Baidoo, journalists from Citi FM, that they were manhandled during an interrogation at the Ministry on May 11, 2021.
“The protection of the rights and freedoms of the citizenry remains a cornerstone to safeguarding the peace and stability of the State. Cognizant of the aforementioned, the Ministry of National Security, strives, at all times, to uphold the ethico and professional standards guiding operational duties. This includes but not limited to interrogation processes for persons who are required to assist in Investigations.
The Ministry, therefore, takes with all seriousness, the allegations of manhandling of the two journalists during the interrogation. The Ministry has therefore initiated investigations into the said allegations.”
It went on “the Ministry of National Security wishes to assure the Public that appropriate actions shall be taken if the allegations are found to be true. It Is worth noting that the interrogation of the two journalists was necessitated by the following:
“Mr. Kudah was detected on the said day, filming within the precincts of a National Security installation contrary to the “No photography” rules at such restricted security zones. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that Mr. Kudah had gained access to the premises under fa. pretense.”
It added “it was also revealed that Mn. Kudah had forwarded the footage he had taken surreptitiously to Ms. Zoe Abu Baidoo. Upon declining an invitation for an interrogation, M. Abu Baidoo was picked up by operatives of the Ministry.”
“The Journalists were released on the same day after the interrogation,” the statement ended.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Journalist Association is set to hold a press conference on the matter today.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm
