Fear and panic gripped residents of East Legon in Accra, at exactly 4:30 am last Friday, 29th January, 2010 when a group of operatives of the Bureau of National Investigation (BNI) accompanied by over 20 fully armed police men surrounded the residence of Mr Prosper Tao Tsikata, the CEO of Mazze Security Group of Companies and one of the chief financiers of the ruling NDC, beating up his security guards and a house help.
Present state of Mr Prosper Tao Tsikata, CEO of Mazze Security Group of Companies on his sick bed
In a typical security invasion and all-terror attack, the BNI officials and the police men forced their way through the gate of the private residence of Mr. Tsikata.
Sources close to Mr Tao Tsikata disclosed that security guards on duty at Mr. Tsikata’s house who tried to prevent the invaders were mercilessly beaten up by the BNI operatives with support from other police men on the terror act.
TODAY gathered that the BNI and the police officers had come to conduct an incognito search at the private residence of the victim for illegally possessing security badges and accoutrements belonging to the Ghana Police Service.
The intention was to get evidence in support of intention of security power brokers to prosecute Mr. Tsikata.
In an interview with TODAY, the Wife of Mr Tsikata, Mrs Tao Tsikata, stated that the BNI officials told them that orders had come from above that they should come for her husband and process him for court “for illegally possessing security accoutrements belonging to the Ghana police service.”
She recalled that the security detail came in 5 pick –up police cars holding guns as if they were looking for some kind of rebels to slain.
“My maidservant also had her share of the beatings from the BNI officials for reasons best known to the security officers,” Mrs Tao Tsikata said.
She indicated that her husband was sent to the BNI Head Office at Kawukudi and on an empty stomach was detained for over 6 hours.
“We told them that our lawyer was not aware that he has to go to court, so there was no way he could be sent to court,” Mrs Tao Tsikata revealed.
She said they reached their lawyer and the lawyer had to rush over; and immediately the lawyer arrived Mr Tsikata was sent to the Cocoa Affairs Court 9 for prosecution.
TODAY learnt that Mr Tao Tsikata pleaded not guilty to the charges of illegally possessing police security accoutrements and badges at the court presided over by Justice DEK Daketsey.
Mr Tsikata was then granted bail of GH¢5,000 with one surety.
The case was adjourned to 9th February, 2010 for him to re-appear before the court.
Meanwhile, TODAY can authoritatively report that all company documents belonging to Mr Tao Tsikata have been seized to prevent him from operating any private security company in Ghana.
All bank accounts of Mr Tao Tsikata have also been frozen by the National Security.
STORY: WILLIAM BEEKO
