Graphic driver escapes mob action

Tuesday, December 30, 2008 (Back Page)

THE young man who was nearly lynched by a mob at Abeka Lapaz on December 28, 2008 has been identified as a driver with the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL).
Mr Benjamin Amedome, who is five feet two inches tall, was mistaken for a macho man and was nearly lynched by a mob but he was rescued by the police.
Narrating his ordeal to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, Mr Amedome said he had been offered a lift by one of the drivers of GCGL and later got down in front of a popular spot called the Abrantie Spot to board another vehicle to Achimota.
According to him, he saw people running up and down and when he enquired he was told that some macho men had allegedly arrived at some polling stations to snatch ballot boxes being used in the presidential run-off.
“To my surprise, I saw the crowd running towards my direction. Sensing danger, I took to my heels to save my life,” Mr Amedome narrated.
According to him, an object was thrown at him and in the process he sustained a head injury.
“I kept running for my life and but for the timely intervention of the police, I would have been dead by now,” Mr Amedome pointed out.
He explained that the police took him to the police station for safety and he was later released to seek medical care.
Mr Amedome expressed his profound gratitude to the police for saving his life.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Glover reports from Garu Tempane that two natives of Garu who were arrested by the police on Sunday for allegedly influencing and coercing voters to vote for one of the two political parties have been released.
The two, Alale Amos, 38, and Albert Alalezuuda, 41, were picked up at Zesira/Nelita for allegedly intimidating voters.
They were picked up on the instructions of the Upper East Regional Minister.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mr Patrick Atim Ayisala said the two were granted police enquiry bail, adding that the police would conduct further investigations to verify the authenticity or otherwise of the allegation.
In a related development, another suspect, Alhassan Muniru, who was alleged to be in possession of two ballot papers has been detained by the police pending further investigations.