Security Analyst Dr. Kwesi Aning is concerned Alistair Tairo Nelson and Godwin Ako Gun are being treated too sweetly by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) despite their verbal outburst on Accra based Montie FM of harming justices of the Supreme Court.
According to Dr. Aning, any threat regarded as serious must be struck down using the statutory regulations. Dr. Aning’s concern follows the BNI’s statement on July 7, which read: “The Bureau of National Investigations on 3 July 2016 questioned two radio commentators, namely Alistair Tairo Nelson, 41, and Godwin Ako Gun, 39, on comments they aired on Montie FM, an Accra-based radio station attacking justices of the Supreme Court. The arrest was premised on the fact that their comments were considered provocative, inflammatory and unacceptable and had the potential of creating security challenges.
“In arresting the two, the BNI took into consideration, the current volatile security situation in the country as we inch towards the 2016 elections. At the interrogation, the two suspects admitted making those statements and acknowledged that their remarks were regrettable and unfortunate. Further checks by the BNI have however established that the suspects were incapable of carrying out pronouncements but did so in a show of needless bravado.
“Nevertheless, our investigations are ongoing and the suspects are reporting to the BNI three times a week. The BNI further observes that thus far several electronic and print media outlets have become notorious for their intemperate vituperations, personal attacks and outright insults, among others. This is a serious security concern that we will not allow to fester.”
He in expressing his dismay to Class FM noted that if the BNI is indicating that because the two Montie FM panelists have no means to carry out their threat so they are being monitored without being detained, it sends a wrong signal since the average joe who in traffic threatens to kill anyone would be treated harshly when reported to the police adding politically affiliated individuals must not be given easier rides when they infract the law.
“I think the BNI has a responsibility to set an example that serves as a deterrent to other stations and other individuals from behaving in a way that undermines this country that we all love so much and this country that we will all want to see grow. So, I think it is important and it is imperative that because they themselves recognise such behaviour as threatening and a threat to our stability and peace then they [BNI] got to act on it,” the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research Director at KAIPTC emphasized.
