Police challenged over Dutchman’s arrest

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:15:30 +0000

By CHARLES MUSONDA

THE Human Rights and Amnesty (HRA) has challenged the Zambia Police to explain the arrest of Qalib Transport proprietor Ahmed Abdullahi, a Dutch investor.

In a letter to Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja, HRA executive director Frederick Chinsala said Mr. Abdullahi was arrested for the second time on June 2, 2017, without being summoned first or a warn and caution statement being administered before his detention.

Mr. Chinsala said the police’s action violated constitutional protection of citizens from arbitrary arrests by law enforcement agencies.

He said the police must take Mr. Abdullahi to court and prove allegations of giving false information to a public officer and forgery and uttering, levelled against him.

He said Mr. Abdullahi’s arrest came a month after he reported a Somali national, Muktar Mohamud Omar, to police for attempted extortion by threats and conspiracy to defraud.

“Our request is premised on the fact that there appears to be high level unprofessional conduct in the manner the matters are being handled. The HRA is alive to the fact that Mr. Omar was formally arrested on 8th May 2017 and charged with two counts.

“He has not appeared before court on grounds of insufficient evidence according to the prosecutor charged with the conduct of this matter on behalf of the State,” Mr. Chinsala said.

He said since both Mr. Omar and Mr. Abdullahi were charged with criminal offences, they must be taken to court for determination of their cases.

“HRA shall closely follow the proceedings of these cases and we call upon all those charged with the conduct of these matters to exhibit professional conduct by being transparent,’’ Mr Chinsala said.

Efforts to get a comment from the police proved futile by press time.