<<Print>>

Five executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Bechem in the Tano South Constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region have been arrested by the police for allegedly conspiring to disrupt a scheduled visit by the Regional Minister, Paul Evans Aidoo to the town. They are Yakubu Morom, Tafawu Abubakar Omaro, Alhassan Issifu, Zackari Fatau and Gideon Osei Bonsu, branch chairman. They were picked up by the police on Friday morning after the District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Bukari Anaba Zakaria reportedly issued a directive for their arrest for allegedly conspiring to demonstrate against him during the visit of the Regional Minister on Friday. The Bechem District Police Commander, DSP Emmanuel Baah, who confirmed the arrest to DAILY GUIDE, said the five were being interrogated. The district police commander said the suspects met on Thursday evening, a night before the minister�s tour, to allegedly instigate NDC youth to demonstrate against the DCE to disrupt the minister�s visit. Efforts by some NDC gurus to secure bail for the suspects proved futile. The suspects, who were arrested around 7am, were later granted bail at about 5pm on Friday. Gideon Osei Bonsu, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE denied the claims. According to him, their arrest was orchestrated by the DCE, who was doing everything possible to impress the appointing authorities in order to remain in office. He said the DCE was terrorizing NDC members he sees as threats to his renomination. Mr Osei Bonsu denied claims that he took part in the said meeting to cause commotion in the presence of the regional minister, adding, �The DCE is just using his powers to harass us.� DAILY GUIDE gathered that the suspects on Sunday met the Deputy Regional Minister, Justice Samuel Adjei to officially report the conduct of the DCE and to register their displeasure about happenings in the party. Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Constituency Secretary, Amponsah Kusi expressed dissatisfaction with the arrest of party faithful in the area, saying it was totally wrong to have them arrested. �I don�t like what is going on in the party,� he said. The five suspects are expected to report to the police today.