The National Patriots Against Injustice and Corruption Ghana (NAPAIC-Ghana) has taken strong exception to allegations made by the Upper East Regional Chairman of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Anthony Namoo, that police carried out extra-judicial killings of some suspects in the Upper East Region.
The civil society group, which operates in northern Ghana, accused him of making unsubstantiated allegations against the police and ignoring recent security gains recorded in the region.
Namoo made the claims while delivering a speech at a remembrance ceremony held on June 30, 2026, in Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region, for three high court judges murdered 44 years ago in Ghana.
“It is very disconcerting that they would hear rumours, come and fish out young men. Pretending to be sending them to Accra, and then they murder them on the way,” he stated.
But addressing journalists at a news conference in Bolgatanga Central Market on Sunday, 5 July 2026, NAPAIC-Ghana said it was concerned about Namoo’s remarks.
NAPAIC-Ghana said while it sympathised with the families of the three murdered justices and prayed such a tragedy never recurred, it was disappointed that the GBA failed to acknowledge the role of the special taskforce established by the Inspector-General of Police, “Black Maria,” in stabilising the region.
“Surprisingly, the Ghana Bar Association refused to acknowledge the fight against crime by the IGP’s taskforce — ‘Black Maria’ — who have been in the region for some time now and doing very well in combating crimes,” said the group in a statement read by its Secretary, Zumah B. Yaro.
“Lives of traders, police, nurses also matter”
The group reminded the GBA that the first half of 2026 alone saw the murder of a police officer on the Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway and at least four separate armed robbery attacks on traders in Bolgatanga and its environs in broad daylight.
“The lives of individuals matter. The lives of police officers matter. The lives of traders matter,” NAPAIC-Ghana stressed, adding that it expected the GBA to also publicly condemn the killings of traders, police officers, immigration officers, teachers, nurses and other professionals in the region.
Scores of traders crowded the scene of the news conference. Many of them held placards, some of which read: “Security agencies deserve praise, not attacks”; “Anthony Namoo, where is your evidence?”; “Lawyer, lead with truth, not rumour”; “Public confidence is back because of Black Maria”; “No Black Maria, no peace for innocent traders!!!”; and “We say thank you: Black Maria Taskforce!”.
Others read: “GBA: Acknowledge Black Maria’s good work!”; “Criminals are the real threat to Upper East Region, not police”; “IGP and Interior Minister: Keep supporting Black Maria”; “Armed Robbers are scared. Keep Black Maria!”; “Black Maria has restored peace in Upper East”
“Evidence or silence”
At the heart of NAPAIC-Ghana’s anger was Namoo’s allegation that police officers had “through their operation extra-judicially murdered” some suspects whose names he mentioned during the remembrance service.
“As a lawyer, it would be appropriate for him to have substantiated his claims, but he did not do so. We at NAPAIC-Ghana find such a speech disturbing,” the group stressed.
NAPAIC-Ghana insisted it did not subscribe to extra-judicial killings. But it argued that when public figures made such serious claims, they also should back them with “incontrovertible evidence.”
“Black Maria brought relief”
The group credited the work of the Upper East Regional Police Command and the operations of Black Maria for reversing what it described as years of fear and panic in the region.
“Until the arrival of DCOP John Dzineku and the operation of Black Maria, armed robbers were having a field day and criminals were killing and robbing residents of their belongings at will,” it said.
According to NAPAIC-Ghana, the taskforce has “scared armed robbers away” and led to the arrest and prosecution of many suspects, a development which, according to the CSO, has boosted public confidence and allowed traders and investors to work “at will and in peace.”
“It is public knowledge that the residents of the region are now heaving sighs of relief,” the group added.
It further warned that Namoo’s comments, coming from a lawyer “who lives and practises” in the region, had the potential to “disrupt the good work of the peace officers” and “embolden criminals to continue their nefarious acts against the populace.”
“Condemn criminals too”
NAPAIC-Ghana challenged the GBA Chairman and others like him to show equal concern for victims of crime in the region.
“We also expect the likes of Mr Anthony Namoo to condemn criminals whose operations have caused sleepless nights to traders, terror to residents and fear among well-meaning investors,” it said.
The group said it would support any individual or entity that felt offended by Namoo’s comments to seek legal redress in court.
It concluded by commending the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the Upper East Regional Police Command, the Black Maria taskforce and all security agencies for their work in the region.
About NAPAIC-Ghana
The National Patriots Against Injustice and Corruption Ghana, NAPAIC-Ghana, is a civil society group focused on fighting corruption and injustice in Ghana. The group positions itself as a watchdog made up of “patriots” willing to speak up against graft and abuse of power.
NAPAIC-Ghana’s main mandate is to expose, condemn and petition for the prosecution of public officials involved in corrupt practices.
It promotes accountability and the rule of law under the principle that “Nobody should be above the law,” and calls on state institutions like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Presidency to ensure justice is served. The group also advocates for transparency in governance and demands investigations and legal action where there is evidence of misconduct.
To achieve this, NAPAIC-Ghana mobilizes citizens against corruption. It files petitions, makes public calls, and pressures authorities to act. By engaging individuals, the media, and other CSOs, it institutionalizes efficiency, accountability and transparency across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
The group’s work aligns with Ghana’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan, NACAP, which seeks to build public capacity to condemn corruption and make it a high-risk, low-gain activity. In summary, NAPAIC-Ghana exists to monitor, expose, petition and demand prosecution of corrupt acts and injustices in Ghana, while encouraging citizens to reject corruption.
See NAPAIC-Ghana’s full statement below:
Source: Edward Adeti/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org/Ghana/West Africa
