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The Chairman of the Defence Committee of Parliament and deputy Defence minister-nominee, Major (rtd) Derek Oduro is justifying the alleged brutalities meted out to a freelance journalist by some soldiers during the Independence Day parade.

According to the victim, Kendrick Offei Ansah, four soldiers commanded him to follow them to the Osu castle barracks after the soldiers were told he (Kendrick) took a video of them assaulting a civilian at the beach located behind the Black Star square.

He narrated that about 10 soldiers came into the room he was kept to beat him mercilessly with anything they could get hold of; thus, he was beaten with PBC pipes, sticks and belts but it took the intervention of one W.O Mensah to save his life.

He said the soldiers ordered him to crash his iPhone5 with a stone after which about ten of them pounced on him while others watched on, at the castle barracks.

The case has since been lodged with the Osu police station but the military men have failed to respond to the police request to write their statement on the issue.

Commenting on the development, Major Oduro, the lawmaker told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr on Starr FM that the officers may not have done anything wrong as they may be working with instruction from their command.

“There are some areas and zones where pictures are not supposed to be taken. If the person was assaulted wrongly, it is wrong but something might have prompted the action. At times, we blow issues out of proportion.

“Many are concocting stories because there have been instances where reports about military brutality are false and so we will need to investigate them. How can Kendrick be alive if he was beaten for 40 minutes? The victim has a mouth to talk. I do not think he was beaten for 40 minutes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the victim’s father who was incensed by the utterances of the minister-nominee said he will pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

“Listening to the submission made by Major Oduro, I am very sad and disappointed. I told my son to relax because we will pursue the case until there is justice. Major Oduro has made me angrier with his comments today . . . I will pursue this case to the latter even if I have to sell my properties to fight the case”.