The Ghana Police Service has denied claims by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), that there is an upsurge of crime in the country following the killing of Lawyer Richard Badami, by armed robbers on the Bole-Bamboi highway in the Savanna Region.
The police response follows a letter from the GBA expressing worry over the upsurge in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the country with the most recent one being an attack on one of their own which occurred on Saturday, May 28, 2022.
The GBA in their letter asked the security agencies to carry out a thorough probe into the murder of Lawyer Richard Badami and also place a GHS20,000.00 bounty on the heads of the killers.
“The GBA implores the security agencies to intensify activities and programmes aimed at drastically reducing the crime rate in the country, especially armed robbery, and other violent crimes.
“The GBA further urged the security agencies to intensify the protection of all persons living within the territorial borders of the Republic of Ghana so that they can feel safe and go about their daily activities and businesses in peace without the slightest sense of insecurity,” the GBA added in a statement.
Reacting to the GBA’s assertion, the Police Service debunked the claims stating that “there is no upsurge in crime” in the country because the security service is on top of the security matters and remains committed to its crime-fighting efforts.
“We fight every day and treat every crime with the same urgency and same professional attitude, and we regret the loss of every life,” part of a statement issued on Monday, May 30 read.
“In line with standard operating procedure, we immediately commenced an investigation into the incident, launched a manhunt for the perpetrators, and issued a statement to that effect on Saturday, May 28, 2022”
“In addition, the Inspector-General of Police and the Regional Police Commander, Savannah Region, have been in touch with the bereaved family to commiserate with them and assure them of a thorough investigation into the case,” the Police has said.
Subsequently, the police urged the public, including all “special-interest groups to be circumspect in their commentary on this matter and rather support the Police to find a quick resolution to the case.”
The police also indicated that three suspects have been arrested so far by the Savannah Regional Police Patrol team in connection with the murder of the late lawyer and are being interrogated.
