‘Decision on BNI boss taken before Koku Anydoho’s arrest’ - Victor Adawudu

Victor Kojoga Adawudu, lawyer for the embattled Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Koku Anyidoho, has dispelled rumours that the director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) William Kwasi Appiah, was removed due to the way and manner issues surrounding Mr Anyodoho’s arrest were handled.

Mr Appiah was reassigned to the Ministry of National Security. His reassignment came in the wake of the arrest and detention of Mr Anyidoho. The NDC Executive had incited a civil insurrection against the Akufo-Addo government on a radio station.

A statement signed by Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Minister of Information said : "Government announces for the information of the general public that the president, with immediate effect made changes within the National Security outfit as follows: Ambassador Rasheed Seidu Inussah, Director General of the Research Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is now the Director of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Peter Nyarko Opata, Deputy Director General of the Research Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is now Director General of the Research Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,

"William Kwasi Appiah Director of the Bureau of National Investigations has been reassigned to the Ministry of National Security."

Some persons have attributed the reassignment to the way and manner Mr Anyidoho’s issues were handled.

Kofi Bentil, private lawyer and vice-president of IMANI Ghana said how the issues were handled leaves much to be desired, a situation that makes his removal a good decision.

In a tweet, Mr Bentil said: “It doesn't matter that the head of BNI was not in town, he was still responsible for the Koku mess. Removing him is good. NPP well done.

“Now let's see what happens to the US Agreement and those who brutalised the civilians. Quick action will be very well received as atonement.”

However, speaking on TV3’s New Day pr0ggramme on Saturday March 31, Mr Adawudu said: “I think they have their own reason why the man was reassigned. From unconfirmed sources it had even happened earlier before Koku’s matter came in.

“So it was already something that was decided, so I don’t see the link between the arrest of Koku and what happened at the BNI. The BNI only provided their custody and it was the Police who were in charge of the case.”