Plot to Remove IGP: Committee cites Supt Gyebi, Supt Asare for contempt after committing perjury

Two of the three involved in the leaked tape concerning the removal of the Inspector-General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, have been cited for contempt by the parliamentary committee set up by Speaker Alban Bagbin to look into the tape.

The officers found guilty of contempt include Superintendent George Lysander Asare and Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi.

Superintendent Gyebi, according to a draft report of the committee cited by GhanaWeb, lied under oath when he appeared before the committee for the first time on August 31, 2023.

Superintendent Lysander Asare also lied about his presence during a phone call between Superintendent Gyebi and Chief Bugri Naabu, a former Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who is at the centre of the leaked tape.

"The Committee is of the view that Supt Asare and Supt Gyebi appeared to have acted in contempt of Parliament pursuant to Order 30 of the Standing Orders of Parliament (2000) as revised by Order 31 (f) of the Standing Orders of Parliament (2024).

The order states that "Any of the following acts or conduct constitute contempt of Parliament or breach of Parliamentary privilege; (f) submission of false, perverted, misleading, distorted, fabricated or scandalous statements in Parliament or before a Committee of Parliament."

The committee went on to recommend to the plenary that the two men be brought before the Privileges Committee for the appropriate action to be taken against them.

"In this regard, the Committee is of the opinion that the matter be referred to the Privileges Committee for appropriate action."

Background:

A leaked audio recording, allegedly involving a Police Commissioner and a politician discussing a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has ignited public outrage.

In the said recording, a Police Commissioner, who described himself as Mensa, was heard with Bugri Naabu, plotting the removal of IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare over fears he will be too firm in the 2024 elections. The Police Commissioner, who is said to be retiring, is heard telling the politician that the IGP is too firm and will not allow machinations in next year's polls if he is not removed. He further notes that the nature of security the IGP provided during the Assin North by-election shows he will not allow any rigging in the polls.

"This IGP won't help us. He won't; he wants everything to be done fairly, and we don't win elections that way. If we don't remove him, we can't break the 8; in politics, we need machinations, and this IGP won't allow that," the Police Commissioner is heard saying.

The Parliament of Ghana has set up a 7-member committee to conduct a probe into the leaked tape after calls by the NDC Members of Parliament.

Proponents of the government have, however, stated that the allegations in the said tape should not be taken seriously because the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has no plans to change IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

See the report below:



BAI/NOQ

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