Diaspora Zongo Youth have strongly condemned the assault of a pastor while in police custody. The group called for the arrest and investigation of the assailant, Sibamay Zakaria. This incident occurred after Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei was arrested for alleged offensive religious comments.
The assault, captured in a viral video, showed Mr. Zakaria slapping Apostle Adjei at a police facility. Al-Asbat Sidi, Public Relations Officer for the Diaspora Zongo Youth, described the act as unlawful. He questioned how Mr. Zakaria gained access to the police station and assaulted a person in custody. Mr. Sidi demanded an investigation into the police officers present during the incident.
This event highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and police accountability in Ghana. It also underscores the delicate balance required in managing religious discourse. The incident follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny on police procedures and citizen interactions with law enforcement. The Interior Ministry has previously condemned similar breaches of custody protocols.
Al-Asbat Sidi stated, “What he did was unlawful. I don’t even understand how and under which locus he barged into the CID headquarters to interrogate the pastor, not to talk of he slapping him.” Mr. Sidi further urged, “The CID officers there must be questioned.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and responsibility in Ghana’s public sphere.
The condemnation by the Diaspora Zongo Youth signals a demand for stricter adherence to legal processes. Authorities will likely face pressure to address the security lapse at the police facility. This incident could lead to internal police investigations and potential disciplinary actions against officers involved. It also reinforces calls for greater religious tolerance and responsible public commentary to prevent future tensions.
Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei and Imam Masud Abdullah were arrested on Wednesday, August 12. They faced charges over separate alleged inciteful comments. Mr. Sidi commended these arrests, viewing them as a step towards calming tensions. He stressed that such actions reinforce the need for responsibility in public discourse. The police action sends an important signal that individuals must exercise restraint. This applies especially when commenting on religion and other matters capable of disturbing public peace. Sibamay Zakaria is currently in police custody assisting with investigations. He is expected to be arraigned for allegedly assaulting the suspect.