The Ghana Police Service has interdicted 3 of its officers at the centre of the leaked tape containing alleged plot to oust the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akufo-Dampare.
The interdiction of the officers which takes immediate effect, the service say, is to pave way for disciplinary proceedings into their conduct in line with the Police Service regulations.
“The Police Service has interdicted Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr. George Alex Mensah, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi and Superintendent George Lysander Asare in connection with the audio tape which has become a subject matter of investigation by Parliament,” a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said.
“The interdiction is to make way for disciplinary proceedings into their conduct in line with Police Service regulations”.
COP George Alex Mensah, Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi and Superintendent George Lysander Asare are captured in a leaked tape allegedly plotting with former Northern Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remove the IGP.
The officers are heard in the tape making damning comments including pushing for Dr. Akuffo-Dampare to be removed and replaced with one of them so that they could aid the governing party clinch onto power in the 2024 Elections.
The content of the leaked tape generated wide public concerns with many calling for a probe into the matter.
Parliament, subsequently, set up an ad hoc committee chaired by MP for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta-Akyea to investigate the issue.
Bugri Naabu, who was the first to appear before the committee, confirmed the authenticity of the tape, stating that he had recorded it to protect the interest of his party.
He also named COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent Asare and Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi as the police officers he was having the conversation with as captured in the audio tape.
Appearing before the committee, COP Alex Mensah admitted that the voice heard in the tape is his but insisted excerpts of the tape was doctored.
He accused the IGP of masterminding the recording of his conversation with the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP.
He told the Committee that he had been invited by Bugri Naabu to discuss his possible replacement of Dr. Akuffo-Dampare.
He said it was on the back of that invitation that he went to meet the former NPP Regional Chairman at his office, the discussion of which was secretly recorded.
COP Alex Mensah took issues with the IGP’s handling of the police service, describing him as the worst the country has ever had.
He also criticised Bugri Naabu for secretly recording their conversation.
Superintendent Asare, who also appeared, before the committee, corroborated his claim that Dr. Dampare orchestrated the recording of their discussion with the politician.
He, however, failed to pass a verdict on the performance of the IGP, stating that he could only do so in camera.
Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi is, however, yet to be interrogated by the committee.
