BNI Again: This time detains Bawumia

Ghana's leading opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP’s) Vice Presidential candidate for the 2008 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was detained at the Tamale Airport on suspicion of carrying weapons in his car on Friday February 20, 2009. He was kept for a while by personnel of the Ghana Air Force together with his driver, and a Police officer attached to him by the Bank of Ghana for security purposes.

The former Special Assistant to the ex-Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Anthony Carbo said Dr Bawumia’s detention by the personnel of the Air Force at the Tamale Airport was based on a tip off by the Bureau of National Investigations. “As they drove out of the airport they were stopped at the military base and the information was that they had information for the Bureau of National Investigation that Dr. Bawumia’s vehicle had some ammunition”, he said. He however said the circumstance was bizarre and noted that the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana was visibly shocked as no weapons were found in his vehicle. Citi News sources say there are suspicions Dr Bawumia’s detention may have something to do with the raging conflict in Tamale between supporters of the NDC and the NPP which led to the death of one person and the injury of several persons. Houses and cars were torched in the thick of the clashes between the Kandahar group of the NPP and the Azorka boys of the NDC.

Dr Bawumia’s detention follows the seizure of the NPP Flagbearer’s Land Cruiser on February 16, 2009 by BNI officials on suspicion that it was government property. NDC government officials including President Mills' spokesman, Mahama Ayariga on February 17, 2009 apologised for that dastardly act. The same BNI kept Mr. Daniel Charles Gyimah, Managing Director of National Investment Bank (NIB), for five more days and nights after a court granted him bail. They claimed were certifying his surety in Sunyani. Mr. Gyimah is standing trial for allegedly causing financial loss to the state with respect to a US$60 million promissory note contract he signed in 2007. The police also manhandled Ms Grace Omaboe (Maame Dokonor) for breaching her bail conditions in respect of investigations about defilements in her orphanage, Charity and Love.