Gregory Afoko’s Family Petitions Amnesty International Et Al

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Alarmed and suspicious of the sinister intention by the state to kill Gregory Afoko, his family have petitioned international human rights agencies, religious bodies and the diplomatic corps as well as the parliament of Ghana to ensure Gregory’s life is protected and the court order complied with immediately.

The family is so alarmed and they are appealing to the local & International organisations to ensure Gregory’s human rights are respected.

Mr Afoko was granted bail by the high court over three (3) months ago but the Ghana Police Service has refused to respect this court order with impunity.

According to the family, they believe that there is an attempt to kill Gregory before handing him over to them.

The notion is linked to some series of events that has happened since he was granted bail;

(i) Gregory’s continuous detention in BNI cells, contrary to the court order granting him bail.

(ii) Blood samples were drawn from a healthy Gregory against his will whilst in custody, hours after which he was told they had detected an infection and immediate treatment suggested for him.

(iii) None of Gregory’s lawyers or family members, and not even Gregory himself was told about what the infection is.

(iv) The family have not been told which medical Doctor diagnosed this “mysterious infection” and prescribed the “mysterious treatment”.

The family’s fears were heightened when just a few days ago, Gregory was hurriedly rushed to the Police Hospital for another treatment without his knowledge or approval, until they reached out to the hospital.

Gregory’s refusal and insistence to be made aware of whatever infection he has and what the treatment was, led to the intervention of the hospital Administrator to calm an agitated Gregory, and the timely arrival of his family members and lawyer at the hospital saved him from being forcibly treated.

Gregory was therefore returned to the BNI cells in chains and under heavy guard.

The family has therefore posed these questions;

1. Why is the State bent on treating Gregory for a “mysterious infection” they won’t disclose to any of us?

2. Why don’t they just release him to his family who can give him the best care in terms of thorough medical attention?

3. Do they want to kill Gregory before handing him over to the family?

This strongly held suspicion is what has led to them petitioning of Amnesty International, the Diplomatic Corps, CHRAJ, and various human rights institutions to quickly intervene before Gregory is murdered by state actors.

By: Elikem Kotoko