Sixteen suspects in police custody at the Tema Community 22 Police Station broke cell at dawn Monday and escaped from lawful custody when a police officer attempted to send food to one of them.
Two of the suspects were later re-arrested by the Tema night patrol team, with the other 14 still on the run.
The Tema Regional Police Commander, ACP Augustine Gyenning, who confirmed the incident to the Daily Graphic, said the officer, Sgt. Rockson Baffuor, whose alleged negligence led to the escape of the suspects, had been placed in police custody while investigations continued.
"He also appealed to the public to assist in re-arresting the runaway suspects by reporting to the police any suspicious movements in their areas.”
ACP Gyenning said on Sunday, September 20, 2009 after 6 p.m. when the cells at the Community 22 Police Station had been closed, a boy aged about 13 years went to the station with a bowl of food for one of the suspects.
He said the Station Police Orderly requested that the boy bought a plastic bag into which the food could be poured and passed through the peep hole for the suspect.
Commander Gyenning said the boy left and did not return as a result of which the food could not be given to the suspect.
He said when the Orderly's supervisor, Sgt. Rockson Baffuor, reported to work at about 9 p.m., he (the orderly) reported the incident to him but Sgt. Baffuor decided to give the food to the suspect.
According to Commander Gyenning, Sgt. Baffuor ignored the advice of the Orderly and proceeded to open the cells at that hour without any precaution and presence of armed guard.
ACP Gyenning said on opening the cells, the suspects pushed Sgt. Baffuor down, trampled on him and took to their heels in different directions.
He said the suspects had their cases before the courts and some were to appear in court Monday.
Commander Gyenning, who described the incident as shameful because of the status of the officer involved, said the suspect who was to be given the food was a robber being tried by a court.
He said Sgt. Baffuor would be investigated and, if found culpable, would be made to produce the suspects within 10 days.
Commander Gyenning said if he is not able to produce the suspects within the stipulated time, he would be made to face service inquiry.
The police have also intensified their search for the cell breakers.
Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana
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