ABUDUS DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THEIR KINSMEN

ABUDUS DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THEIR KINSMEN

Thousands of the Abudu Royal Gate in Yendi on Friday June 11, 2010 poured onto the principal streets of the Yendi Municipality in protestation against the continues detention of their kinsmen who were arrested in-connection with the murder of the late Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II in March 2002.

The protest was a replication of what took place in Accra few days ago by some family members’ resident there through which they demanded the immediate release of Mohammed Kojo, Abukari Mahama and Yakubu Mohammed who were exonerated by the Human Rights Court in Accra.

The protestors claded in red and black T-shirts amidst drumming and dancing, marched from the Boling-Lana’s Palace near the Yendi Senior High School to the District Assembly where they presented their petition to the Municipal Coordinating Director.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as “The history you write today will be read to you tomorrow, “Rawlings time for your video clips, “No peace, no justice in Dagbon, “Atta Mills promise us discrimination and we will promise you hell, “It was a three day war and not murder,” among other concerns.

Alhassan Iddrisu Dokurugu, Secretary and spokesperson to the Abudu Royal Family in a statement read to officials of the Yendi Municipal Assembly chastised government for deliberately delaying the trial process.

He described the kidnap of the ten Abudus including Mba Dugu Iddrisu Iddi, caretaker of the Abudu Regent by national security operatives on April 10, this year as misapplication of justice.

The spokesperson also slammed Mrs. Gertrude Aikins, Director of Public Prosecutions for not appearing in court during the last court sitting on May 31. He therefore requested for a speedy trial of the suspects as guaranteed by the 1992 Republican Constitution.

Alhassan Dokurugu also implored government to exhibit equal justice in handling the age long protracted Dagbon Chieftaincy matter by arresting identified suspects of the Andani gate as recommended by the Wuaku Commission’s report.

He cited Mohammed Achiana Abdul Salam a.k.a “Red”, Sonunu Bakomi, Bashiru Shinashi, Bashiru Gyema, Irwanu Bingo and Mahama Mole, etc as some of the identified Andani warriors recommended by the Wuaku Commission’s Report and demanded that they should be arrested as well.

Alhaji Sheihu Kadri, the Yendi Municipal Coordinating Director received the petition on behalf of government and promised that the message would be relayed to the appropriate quarters.

About 50 police and military personnel led by ASP Peter Baba Atianak, Northern Regional Police Crime Officer supervised the peaceful protest.

The protest march which started around 9am and ended a few minutes after 11am was seen as the most patronized by the Abudu family members devoid of any confrontation or security breach in the town.