Chair of the Committee that is investigating the leaked tape that captures a plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office, Samuel Atta Akyea has dismissed claims that he is biased.
This was after Lawyer for the IGP, Mr Kwame Gyan accused him of bias.
Mr Gyan has had issues with how Mr. Atta Akyea conducts the affairs of the committee right from the commencement of proceedings.
When his client took his turn before the committee, Mr. Gyan protested the presence of COP Alex Mensah and Superintendent Asare who had testified against the IGP, and requested that they should be made to leave. However, Mr. Atta Akyea objected to the protest despite a suggestion by Ranking Member on the committee, Mr. James Agalga.
But Atta Akyea dismissed the allegation.
Speaking to the media on October 10, at the end of an in-camera hearing by the committee, the Akim Abuakwa South Member of Parliament said “It is very disappointing for anybody to say I am biased. On the contrary, the generality of Ghanaians believe that I have steered the affairs of the committee well.
“If anybody is having jitters, that I am going to manufacture evidence against the IGP, it does not accord with common sense.
“Because what we are doing here is being recorded, so, Atta Akyea with whatever dexterity will not be able to improve upon the evidence,” he stressed adding that he was leading a fact-finding committee, whose proceedings were being recorded and transcribed.”
The leaked tape captured COP Alex Mensah (rtd) together with some senior police officers and the former Northern Region Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Daniel Bugri Naabu, in a conversation ostensibly plotting to remove the IGP before the 2024 elections.
The tape had suggested that the IGP was doing the bidding of former President John Dramani Mahama, who had promised to keep him at post.
Though Chief Bugri Naabu confirmed the content of the tape, COP Alex Mensah denied the content saying portions have been “edited”. Notwithstanding, he said he has no issues whatsoever with the current IGP.