I saw soldier's physically abuse Mobilla - Witness

March 16, 2012 (Page 3)

A Detective Sergeant,hasd testified in the trial of three soldiers accused of killing Alhaji Issa Mobilla, a former Northern Regional Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and described how two of the soldiers physically abused the deceased.
According to Mensah Kpligi, Corporal Yaw Appiah and Private Eric Modzaka, subjected Mobilla to both physical and verbal abuse on December 9, 2004.
A third accused person, Private Seth Goka, is currently on the run.
Led by a Chief State Attorney, Ms Penelope Marmattah, to testify, the witness told the court that Appiah, apart from subjecting Mobilla to verbal abuse, ordered Mobilla to suspend with both hands on the ground with legs in the air.
He said Modzaka used a nim tree stick to hit Mobilla’s chest several times but he was challenged by counsel for the accused persons, Mr Thaddeus Sory of making up false stories.
According to the witness, he could not state his evidence in his earlier statements because he had been intimidated and demoted by his former boss.
The witness said an alibi put up by Modzaka also turned out to be false.
The following transpired between Mr Sory and Mr Kpligi during cross examination:
Mr Sory: Did you know how old Mobilla was at the time of his death?
Mr Kpligi: Yes my Lord. He was 50 years.
Mr Sory: I am telling you that with Mobilla’s age, he had to be tied against an object to be able to stay in that position.
Mr Kpligi: He was not tied but he was able to take it.
The presiding judge, Mr Justice Mustapha Habib Logoh, adjourned sitting to March 16, 2012 to enable Mr Sory to continue with his cross examination.
At its last sitting, the Accra Fast Track High Court granted leave to the prosecution to file additional evidence in the matter.
Alhaji Mobilla was arrested by the police on December 9, 2004 for allegedly supplying the youth in Tamale with guns to foment trouble.
While in custody, the police claimed they received information that his followers and sympathisers were mobilising to free him.
Mobilla was consequently transferred from police cells to the Kamina Military Barracks and handed over to the three accused persons.
According to the prosecution, Alhaji Mobilla died in military custody three hours after he had been handed over to the accused persons, who were on duty that day.
The pathologist’s report revealed that Alhaji Mobilla was sent to the hospital dead and that he died from multiple wounds.