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Criminal
Libel Law repeal compromises national security-Dery
Ho, Aug. 1, Ghanadot/GNA - Mr. Bernard G. Dery, Volta
Regional Police Commander, said repeal of the Criminal Libel
Law risked compromising national security.
He said some journalists were hiding behind press freedom to
dent people’s image, malign them and create confusion in the
country especially in the Volta Region.
Mr. Dery was addressing a press conference in Ho over
stories in a newspaper publication that implicated him and
the Volta Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, in the death
of one Dzikunu Agbale and Theophilous Tettey-Nartey, former
Ho Municipal Police Commander, during an incident at the Ho
Residency on June 2.
Mr. Dery said, "If this is the way the private media are
treating press freedom, then a second look needs to be given
to the withdrawal of the Criminal Libel Law".
He said security reports were confidential and wondered how
the paper came by the so called confidential security
document adding that "if it is true then it amounts to
espionage and high treason".
Mr. Dery challenged the paper to publish the full document
and its source and described the publication as "triply
malicious, deficient and calculated to tarnish my hard won
reputation.”
Mr Dery denied the paper's allegation that he told the press
that Superintendent Tettey-Nartey died from stab wounds
inflicted on him by Agbale in the incident.
He said Mr.Tettey-Nartey died from gun shot wounds during a
struggle with Agbale.
Mr. Dery said as the Regional Police Commander, he has to
work in close collaboration with the Regional Minister,
"responsibilities are attached to certain offices" and
wondered how he could be accused of involvement in politics
by doing his official work.
He said, "It is unfortunate that people who I closely and
diligently worked with now turn round to accuse me of
incompetence".
"Some politicians from the region are creating unnecessary
tension and confusion in the region and I want to inform
such political novices that Regional Security directives
must not be termed as Dery's directives", he said.
GNA
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