The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has disclosed that 25 suspects are currently facing trial in connection with election-related killings recorded during the 2020 and 2024 elections.
He said 14 other suspects were at large and were being pursued by the security agencies to face the full rigours of the law.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency in Accra yesterday, Alhaji Muntaka, who is also the Member of Parliament for Asawase, said no stone would be left unturned in the pursuit of justice for both the dead and injured in the two election cycles.
The arrests and prosecutions followed a directive by President John Dramani Mahama on January 10, 2025, for the constitution of a task force to conduct full-scale investigations into the deaths of 15 persons allegedly killed during the two election periods.
The alleged killings were recorded in Banda, Offinso North, Tolon, Ablekuma Central, Nkoranza South, Dormaa West, Ahafo Ano South-West, Savelugu, Ayawaso West Wuogon, Techiman South, Odododiodio, Kasoa and Damango.
Giving an update on the investigations, Alhaji Muntaka said seven suspects had been arraigned in the Banda case, including the prime suspect in the stabbing and killing of the victim, Silas Wulochamey.
He said the suspects had been granted police enquiry bail and were expected to reappear in court on August 31, 2026.
In the Offinso North case, he said six suspects had been arraigned and granted bail and were expected to reappear in court on September 3, 2026.
At Tolon, the Minister said two suspects allegedly responsible for the death of one person and injuries to others had fled the community.
“It has been established that despite his absence from the community, forms were picked for suspect Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe to contest unopposed in the New Patriotic Party’s internal election as the (Tolon) Constituency Youth Organiser. He was declared winner in the said election and retained as the Constituency Youth Organiser,” Alhaji Muntaka said.
He said an unidentified soldier dressed in military uniform had been identified as the principal suspect in the killing of one person at the Odorkor Police Church in Accra during the 2020 election, but all efforts to trace him had been unsuccessful.
Another suspect, Collins Quarcoo, however, had been arrested and was facing trial.
Five of the 16 soldiers deployed to maintain law and order at the Effah Presbyterian School Polling Station ‘A’ in the Nkoranza South Constituency during the 2024 election had been identified as being involved in the alleged killing of Abdul Karim Rafik.
Alhaji Muntaka said the five soldiers had since been interrogated and a docket on the case was to be forwarded to the Attorney-General for advice.
In the Dormaa West case, where one person was killed with a “high velocity single projectile weapon”, he said one suspect was on trial while another remained at large.
On the Savelugu case, the Minister said the task force was undertaking a covert operation to identify the suspect.
He added that Ernest Akomea, alias Double, remained at large in connection with the infamous Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, while three persons were standing trial in the Odododiodio case.
Alhaji Muntaka said the identities of those who fired shots from an AK-47 rifle in the Odododiodio case had yet to be established. Efforts were also continuing to locate the driver of the pick-up vehicle from which the deceased was shot.
In the Damango case, he said 14 persons who had earlier been arraigned had been granted bail, while investigations had established that the victim was killed by a police gunshot.
He said, however, that efforts to identify the officer who fired the shot had so far been unsuccessful.
“The Police will continue to pursue all outstanding suspects and support the prosecution of those already before the courts,” Alhaji Muntaka assured.
He urged the public to remain calm, saying they would be duly informed of new developments.
BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
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