GJA Threatens to Go to ECOWAS Court over Ahmed Suale’s Murder

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) is prepared to petition the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice to seek redress over the lingering murder case of investigative journalist Ahmed Suale.

The journalist was murdered in his car on January 16, 2019, at Madina while on his way home by unidentified men on motorbikes.

Six years down the line, the case is an enigma and among police cold cases crying for mercy.

At a press conference on January 22, 2025, the President of the GJA served notice about plans to advance the case to the sub-regional court if there is no progress in the next two months.

“If by the end of March 2025, we have not seen or heard a satisfactory reaction to our demand, we shall proceed to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice to seek resolution of this matter,” the President of the GJA, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour noted.

He believes this would be a suitable step as the police have shown their unwillingness to follow up on leads.

“The Police claim they do not have or cannot find evidence for prosecution. They further claim the CCTV at the crime scene was faulty on that fateful day Latif was assaulted. The Police are saying since the crime has no expiry date, anytime or day they would find evidence, they would initiate prosecution. We shall proceed to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice to hear what they will also say on this case,” Mr Dwumfour said.

Meanwhile, he condemned the police’s “lackadaisical” attitude towards the investigation as he referenced the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare-Obeng, popularly known as A-Plus’ recent disclosure of suspects behind the heinous crime.

“What is even more disheartening is the lackadaisical police investigations into the murder. You may recall the shocking disclosure made by the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, in February 2024 that his office had not received from the Police any docket fit for prosecution or action on the murder of Ahmed Suale. This was five years after the murder of the investigative journalist.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini