By Mabinty M. Kamara
Former Anti -Corruption Commissioner, Ady Macauley was detained last evening (Thursday 6 October) at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) after a lengthy interrogation in relation to an interview he granted on the African Young Voices Television about people's right to protest, according to one of his lawyers.
Speaking to Politico, Lawyer Saidu Bangura said their request for bail was denied by the police and therefore, their client had to pass the night in detention.
He quoted the police as saying he was being investigated for an alleged inciteful statement he was reported to have made that has been linked to the August 10 violent protests in some parts of the country in which over 30 people lost their lives, including six Policemen.
"His only crime is forming an opinion on the law which lawyers do all the time.
He said on AYV that everyone has the right to protest pursuant to the 1991 constitution and the public order Act. That we only need to notify the IG but we do not need to seek his clearance and that's what the law says. It is the duty of the IG to now to provide the security," Bangura said.
The Head of the CID, Peter Gibao Roberts confirmed that Macauley is being investigated on allegations of incitement relating to the August 10 protests. He would not elaborate, but said it had to do with a TV broadcast.
After the deadly violence, there were many calls both local and international for an investigation into the cause of the carnage and to bring the perpetrators to book.
A committee headed by a lawyer Emanuel Saffa Abdulai has since been set up to look into the issue.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (07/10/22)
