Ahmed Hussein-Suale, the investigative journalist with Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ Tiger Eye PI, who was shot and killed on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, feared he would be assasinated following the publication of his image by the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong.
This, is according to the Committee to Project Journalists (CPJ), an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide.
According to CPJ, Ahmed, in September 2018 expressed the fear that “powerful figures in Ghana sought to harm him.”
The CPJ, in a report on its website released following Hussein-Suale’s death, said Ahmed told the organisation via WhatsApp that “Since my image was published and [the] public was incited against me […] many people have attempted [to attack me]. These criminals after us are people who are […] associated with powers that be in Ghana and can do anything and get away with it.”
“Indeed, it [has] been hinted in some quarters that the very man who published [my image] said he was doing everything possible to quell [my] existence,” the report said.
The CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Angela Quintal who expressed disappointment in the incident called on government to “prove itself willing to hold accountable those who attack the press.”
“This shooting is a grave signal that journalists cannot work safely to keep the public informed or hold power to account in Ghana,” she added.
Meanwhile, Anas, in an interview with BBC’s Focus on Africa said his team received a number of threats following the premiere of #Number12.
“We did report them to the Police CID. They were public threats. But his is not to say I have accused anybody of murder because the case is being investigated,” he said.
“Since my image was published and [the] public was incited against me […] many people have attempted [to attack me],” he told CPJ via WhatsApp. “These criminals after us are people who are […] associated with powers that be in Ghana and can do anything and get away with it.”
Divela told CPJ that he was afraid assassins would be hired to kill him. He said, “Indeed, it [has] been hinted in some quarters that the very man who published [my image] said he was doing everything possible to quell [my] existence.”
David Senanu Eklu, assistant commissioner of police and director general for public affairs and communications at police headquarters in Accra, told CPJ today that detectives from the criminal investigation division have started an investigation.
Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo posted on Twitter today that he expected the police to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice.
Anas, from Tiger Eye Private Investigations, told CPJ that he was “deeply saddened” by Divela’s killing, but he will continue to report on corruption. “Come what may, we will never stop,” he said.
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Daily Graphic
