The Ghana Police Service has suspended the interdiction of three of its officers who were implicated in a leaked tape allegedly plotting the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
This move is aimed at ensuring that the ongoing parliamentary probe into the matter is not prejudiced.
In a statement dated September 7, the police explained that the suspension of interdiction, which was initially intended to facilitate disciplinary proceedings in line with Police Service regulations, will now be suspended until after the parliamentary investigation is completed.
The statement, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Grace Ansah-Akrofi, read:
“Following the interdiction of COP/Mr George Alex Mensah, Supt/Mr Emmanuel Eric Gyebi and Supt/Mr George Lysander Asare in connection with the leaked audio tape, the Police Administration would commence disciplinary proceedings into their conduct upon completion of the ongoing probe by Parliament.”
“In order not to prejudice the ongoing probe, the Police administration has suspended their interdiction,” the statement read.
The three officers in question, namely Commissioner of Police (COP) Alex George Mensah, Director General Technical of the Ghana Police Service, Supt. George Lysander Asare, and Emmanuel Gyebi, were interdicted on September 6 after a leaked tape surfaced, suggesting a conspiracy to remove the IGP.
IGP leaked tape saga: Police Service interdicts COP Mensah, Supt. Asare & Supt. Gyebi
The recording was secretly done by Bugri Naabu, a former NPP Northern Regional Chairman.
On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament named Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta-Akyea, as the chairperson of a seven-member ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the leaked audio revealing clandestine moves to oust the IGP.
COP Alex Mensah’s voice was identified on the secret recording, discussing how IGP Dampare’s actions could potentially impact the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election.
On August 28, Bugri Naabu disclosed to the committee that he recorded the conversation so that he could play it for President Akufo-Addo, emphasizing that his sole interest was to protect the party.
However, COP Alex Mensah countered that he met with Mr. Naabu because he heard that Mr. Naabu was searching for a replacement for the IGP. He explained that Mr Naabu wanted to meet him to discuss his potential candidacy for the role.
Supt. George Asare corroborated some of COP Mensah’s statements regarding the IGP and his management of the Police Service. He suggested that he would provide more information in an in-camera session.
Supt. Asare also supported previous claims that the leaked tape had been tampered with, stating that the public version was incomplete and edited by unidentified individuals.
On his part, Supt Gyebi refuted claims he played any role in the leaked tape saga and denied ever meeting with Bugri Naabu to discuss any such ousting of the IGP.
Meanwhile, COP Alex Mensah alleged that it was the IGP who orchestrated the recording of the conversations and their subsequent leakage.
The Committee had recently indicated its intention to potentially invite the IGP to testify before them as part of their investigation.
