Nii Lante condemns hostile search for state cars in his house

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Former Sports minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has condemned what he says is a hostile attempt by security operatives to seize cars they suspect belong to the state.

He expressed disappointment that state security officials would adopt crude tactics when it could use a simple process in determining ownership of his cars.

The NDC Odododiodoo MP who is in the UK on holidays told Joy News’ Newsnite Tuesday security operatives stormed his house at about 4pm Tuesday.

He said the operatives were officials from the confiscated cars committee, two armed policemen and other BNI officers with ‘a pistol around their waists’.

They were bent on seizing some three government vehicles. But he said they were resisted by his wife who insisted on seeing a warrant. They did not have any, he said.

According to him, after haggling over the issue for an hour and a half, the operatives blocked the gate with their vehicle.

Nii Lante says he prevailed upon the District Police commander to move to his house. By that time, NDC party executive, family, friends and supporters amassed at the scene.

According to him, the public attention dissuaded the operatives from further aggressive behaviour.  They drove off.

Nii Lante was emphatic he is not keeping any state vehicle.

He earlier told Citi FM, the only vehicles currently in the house, were ones he purchased from a public auction some four years ago.

He said he returned his official 4-wheel drive he used and accepted an offer to buy a 2013 Toyota Avensis he used as deputy minister and continued to use when he was later made a minister.

Several former government officials benefited from a state policy to buy their official vehicles at prices described by some as ridiculous.

But Nii Lante Vanderpuye said he paid about GHC50,000 for the vehicle. Including in the amount was GHC20,000 as import duties.

The Odododiodoo MP said state security can satisfy their suspicion about the ownership of cars by ‘simply’ inviting persons to come over with documents stating ownership of the vehicle.

He criticised the security apparatus for destabilising his family especially when he had travelled outside the country.