Second ModernGhana journalist, Emmanuel Britwum, has backtracked on torture allegations he levelled against National Security operatives who arrested him last Thursday.
Speaking through his legal counsel Debora Asabere-Ameyaw, he says he was “neither tortured nor brutalised” during his detention at an undisclosed location.
His editor, Emmanuel Ajafor Abugri, who was picked up together with him, has alleged he was assaulted and electric shocks applied to his ears during his one-hour interrogation.
Video: ModernGhana editor re-enacts assault by national security operatives
The two have become the center of attention from the Ghana Journalists Association and at least two civil society organisations, as they support the journalists in court against the state’s claim they were arrested for cyber crimes.
The GJA has formed a legal team for Messrs Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and Emmanuel Britwum.
But some six hours after the GJA press conference, Mr. Britwum has said he “dissociates himself from allegations of misconduct being levelled in his name against the National Security.”
In a statement, he said he was being drawn into a “raging debate” over the saga. He called his arrest “alleged unlawful arrest”.
He also stated, he did not witness his editor, Mr. Abugri being tortured and therefore, cannot confirm or deny his allegation because they were not in the same room.
Mr.Britwum said he is cooperating fully with the police investigations.
Legal practitioner, Samson Lardy Anyenini, has expressed surprise at Mr. Britwum’s latest position. He said the journalist, until six hours ago, maintained he was assaulted and tortured.
“I asked him more than five times,” the lawyer recalled his interaction with his now former client. Mr. Lardy said he gave this testimony in the presence of lawyers, journalists and friends.
“I am learning for the first time that he has gone to get another lawyer…. It is strange that some lawyer has surfaced and claimed he was not tortured,” Mr. Anyenini said on JoyFM’s Newsnite, Wednesday.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
