Samuel Kissiedu, a private legal practitioner, has revealed that Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, can take legal action against the Ghanaian officers who were interrogating him.
In a viral video, Abu Trica was captured struggling to answer a question following his arrest.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), Alexander Twum Barimah, questioned Abu Trica about his source of income.
Abu Trica was spotted handcuffed and seated, and fumbled when quizzed about his work.
Abu Trica, however, insisted he had already provided the information to another officer, adding that he does “a lot of jobs.
Read a narration of the conversation between Twum Barimah and Abu Trica:
“NACOC’s Twum Barimah: What work do you do? I am the one asking the question. I don’t care about what you told somebody in my absence.
Abu Trica: My lawyer should answer the question. I have already done this thing. Ask the other people.
NACOC’s Twum Barimah: We are asking you questions under arrest about your work, and you want your lawyer to answer that? The lawyer cannot answer that question for you.
Abu Trica: The last time your officer came here, I answered the same question.
NACOC’s Twum Barimah: I am asking you. Just answer.
Abu Trica: The last time I explained it to the senior man. I keep saying it. I have not done any transaction for me to be handcuffed.
NACOC’s Twum Barimah: I haven’t asked about any transaction. I need the work that you do, so just say it.
Abu Trica: The jobs that I do are a lot”.
The lawyer reacting to the viral video stated, “Hardly will you see that the police will arrest you and immediately proceed to interrogate you… I believe they should have removed the handcuffs from him [Abu Trica], and as it stands, they subjected him to inhumane treatment”
“To be honest, I think he could take legal action against the officers involved, as it appeared he was being tortured during the interrogation. The law says that once you arrest a person, the first thing is to inform them in a language they understand, a reason for their arrest and his rights to a lawyer of his choice. These are things you cannot take away from the suspect”.
Samuel Kissiedu added, “They asked him what work he does, and he replied that his lawyer will provide the answers. It is not the duty of the suspect to assist the police officer in doing their investigations”.
“If you claim the person has committed an offence, you must conduct your own investigations, gather evidence and take them to court, but cannot force them to give answers hoping to help the investigation… when that happens, it appears as forcing the person [suspect] to incriminate himself,” he said.
He added, “I think the officer was out of order and his behaviour was unlawful. Was recording him and putting out the video an attempt to disgrace him [Abu Trica]? Presumption of innocence is key in the Constitution Article 19 (2) (c).
“The person is presumed to be innocent until the court proves finds him guilty or he pleads guilty, and arresting them based on an allegation does not mean they are guilty. I think the conduct of the officers was wrong and unlawful, and so he [Abu Trica] should take steps to take legal action against them,” he concluded.
Watch the video below: