The Chairman of the ad-hoc committee tasked with investigating the leaked tapes concerning the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has disclosed that the IGP is scheduled to appear before the committee on Tuesday, September 12.
This development follows the committee’s aim to afford the IGP an opportunity to provide his perspective on the allegations made against him by certain senior police officers captured on the leaked tapes, who were allegedly involved in a plot to remove him from office.
During an interview on JoyNews’ program, The Probe, Samuel Atta Akyea confirmed that “On Tuesday, all the individuals (Chief Daniel Bugri Naabu, Supt. George L. Asare, (COP) George Alex Mensah, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyebi)… will return with their legal representatives.”
He emphasized that the IGP, as the central figure in the discussions, should also be accompanied by his legal team.
The Chairman clarified that the proceedings would be conducted in-camera due to the sensitive nature of the allegations involved. He explained, “Some serious allegations have been made in public, but the substance of the allegations has not been made in public. That is to say, the evidential support for those allegations is what we are going to unearth, so which piece of evidence that we’ll give to the public that will not jeopardize national security, we’ll exercise that discretion.”
Crucially, Chairman Atta Akyea underscored that the committee’s primary objective is not to select a new IGP or tarnish the current IGP’s reputation. Instead, their focus is on ensuring that the IGP receives a fair hearing and an opportunity to address the allegations leveled against him.
He affirmed, “I don’t believe it will come to that point where the IGP will refuse to come to Parliament when he has the chance to clear his name.”
Regarding the timing of making the proceedings public, the Chairman suggested a potential three-hour closed session, followed by the disclosure of relevant information when deemed appropriate. However, he emphasized that safeguarding national security remains a top priority when making such decisions.
