By Isaac Nsiah Foster
The lead counsel for embattled cattle dealer Seidu Salifu has launched a scathing critique of the Ghana Police Service, accusing officers of misconduct and deliberate attempts to frustrate his client’s bail process in what he described as a case tainted with suspicion and ill motive.
Lawyer John Boamah, who represents Salifu—now facing charges in a murder case—told the press that despite a court granting bail on June 24, 2025, the police failed to present the accused at the court to allow sureties to execute the bond.
“We went to the court for variation of the bail on 15th July,” he recounted. “It was only today that the police finally brought him to court to execute the bail.”
Salifu, along with Adams Awal and five others—identified as Abdallah Abeyoog, Bashiru, Mumuni, Abanga, and Zabarima (who are all reportedly on the run)—is being handled by the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) of the Ashanti North Police Headquarters in Mampong.
The lawyer claims that after the Nsuta Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Justice Simon Nketiah Gaga, granted bail to Salifu and Awal on Friday, July 18, police immediately re-arrested his client without legal justification.
“This is nothing short of harassment and abuse of due process,” Boamah stated. “The police are clearly acting in bad faith.”
Boamah accused the PID officers of violating Salifu’s rights by entering his home to conduct a search while the suspect was in custody.
“You cannot invade a suspect’s private home without his knowledge or presence. That is a breach of basic human rights,” he asserted.
He further condemned the alleged brutality and unlawful treatment of his client during his arrest.
“You can’t pick someone up from his room, beat him, and accuse him of a crime you’ve not proven in court,” Boamah stressed. “The police must be trained to respect the law and human dignity.”
The lawyer also raised broader concerns about what he described as a pattern of misconduct by the police, citing previous incidents.
“This is not the first time. Look at the cases of the late Tawiah from Krofrom and Maxwell Asante from Sepe Tinpom. People have been framed and killed without any prima facie case,” he alleged.
He insists that the rearrest of Seidu Salifu defies legal justification and appears to be motivated by external interests. “We suspect this is not about justice—it’s about silencing someone who’s a known sponsor of mining workers in the area,” Boamah said.
Salifu and Awal are expected to reappear in court on August 6, 2025.
POLICE RESPOND: ACCUSED HAS LONG BEEN ON OUR RADAR
In reaction to the lawyer’s claims, the Ghana Police Service defended their actions, stating that Salifu has been on their wanted list for some time and is linked to past robbery activities
“There is credible intelligence and evidence that justify further investigation,” an officer with the Police Intelligence Directorate said, adding that Salifu may need to be transferred to the Accra PID headquarters for further interrogation.