#FixTheCountry convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor has alleged that an inmate has died of hunger at the Ashaiman Police Cells.
In a Facebook post on Monday, May 9, 2022, the convener said that the deceased, whose name was given as Ebenezer Dosu, was arrested by a police officer who “was extorting money from him”.
He added that “the police officer arrested and kept Ebenezer from evening 6pm till 11pm; and when he could not pay the money he (the police officer) was demanding, he went to lock him up at 11:30pm”.
According to Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor Ebenezer Dosu complained of hunger and stomach aches throughout the night but the police ignored his complains and “he died the next morning.”
“As the police normally do when they are extorting money, no official entries were made and he was locked up without due process”, he claimed.
He further stated that the arresting officer and the Counter NCO who were on duty have been recommended for interdiction.
The #FixTheCountry convener, who is facing treason felony charges, was arrested for coup plot comments he made in February 2022 should government go ahead to pass the controversial e-levy bill into law.
Mr. Barker-Vormawor, after his release on bail attempted to donate food items and toiletries to his former cell mates at the Ashaiman Police Station.
His reason for the donation was that the state does not provide food for persons arrested and kept in cells irrespective of how long they are held.
However, the police informed him that his initiative was against Police Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), therefore, he should refrain from carrying out the said donation.
According to the Police Service feeding of persons in police custody is the responsibility of the government but due to cultural sensitivities families of suspects are usually allowed to provide food to them from time to time.
They added that food brought to suspects in custody is subjected to stringent safety and security protocols before being accepted for consumption.
