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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Friday, 4th May, 2018, reinstated, with immediate effect, the suspended Upper West Regional Minister, Alhassan Sulemana, following the completion of Police investigations into the attack on the Upper West Regional offices of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in Wa.

President Akufo-Addo’s decision is informed by Police investigations, for which a report dated 22nd February, 2018, was submitted to the President, after which a thorough assessment of the report was undertaken.

A statement from the Presidency announcing the reinstatement Friday said "the report exonerates the Regional Minister from any wrongdoing in the unfortunate incident of 31st January, 2018, including attempting to pervert the course of justice."

Nine (9) persons – Kamal Ismail, Bongaamwini Issahaku, Salifu Seidu Adnan, Abdulai Hakeem, Suglo Nugu, Dakura Peter, Nuhu Mohammed, Kasim Dramani and Issah Salifu – who are alleged to have been responsible for the criminal action have been arraigned before court for prosecution, having been charged with the following offences:

1. Conspiracy to commit crime to wit assault contrary to Sections 23 and 84 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);
2. Assault contrary to Section 84 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);
3. Conspiracy to commit crime to wit threat of harm contrary to Sections 23 and 74 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29);
4. Threat of death contrary to Section 74 of the Criminal Offences Act, 196, (Act 29); and
5. Rioting contrary to Section 196 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The judicial proceedings in the matter are ongoing.

Background

President Akufo-Addo suspended the Minister for the Upper West Region, Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan, pending the outcome of the investigation into the unfortunate incidents that occurred at the premises of the Upper West Regional office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), in Wa, on Wednesday, 31st January, 2018.

President Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment to the application of the laws of the land, which must occur without fear or favour, affection or ill-will and without recourse to the political, religious or ethnic affiliations of any citizen of the land.

The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Amidu Ishaq, acted as Regional Minister in the interim, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

The youth attacked the Regional NADMO Director on Wednesday evening.

The youth threw caution to the wind, disregarded grievance procedures and attacked the Regional NADMO Director, who doubles as the Regional Organizer of NPP, injuring some staff in the process.

While he managed to escape unhurt, one staff was injured in the process and was rushed to the Wa Government Hospital for treatment but has since been discharged.

Alhassan Sulemana was alleged to have instructed the release of some New Patriotic Party (NPP) thugs who were arrested after they attacked some officers of the Upper West National Disaster Management Organisation.

He denied the allegation against him but that did not stop the President from cracking the whip.