Chairman of the ad-hoc committee designated to probe the removal of IGP, Samuel Atta Akyea, has assured the general public of dispassionate interrogation of the IGP Dampare.
According to him, the committee has not started digging the evidence because it is exercising discretion in the matter vis-a-vis national security concerns. He revealed that because the tape has gone viral and in the public domain, the committee deems it necessary to investigate part of the interrogation publicly.
“… That is why we invited Chief Bugri Naabu and the rest to identify the tape because of reasons of authenticity and they said a whole lot of things. In the absence of a very important personality in the realm, Inspector General of Police, we believe in hallowing the audi alteram partem rule.
“Because some of the allegations were made public, we are of the humble view that it is only right, and the Inspector General of Police will address some of the matters which were said before the committee publicly and then we will decide when we retire to go into the evidence, which I believe, will be in-camera.”
Samuel Atta Akyea
Mr Atta Akyea further expressed caution that the IGP will not “veer into national security matter” in the course of his narrations. He explained that such critical matter must be undertaken in-camera.
Portions of proceedings to be undertaken publicly
Moreover, Mr Atta Akyea noted that the committee desires to find evidential support for what is in the public domain. Nonetheless, he iterated that in the committee’s discretion, matters which border on national security must not go in the open.
“We’ll sit in-camera and listen to the evidence when you’ll be called upon to prove what you said publicly… Making an allegation on oath is not equal to evidence. An allegation should be substantiated by evidence… By reason of the evidence that we’ve heard, which is not intended for the public consumption, we’ll be able to do the findings of fact, and by the reason of the findings of fact, we’ll be able to make recommendations for plenary.”
Samuel Atta Akyea
Furthermore, Mr Atta Akyea assured the public that the committee has no self-interest in the proceedings. He revealed that his team has “nothing to hide” as a committee of parliament, because it didn’t “originate the trouble”.
“… As a matter of fact, we have been burdened with investigations by the Speaker, we do not have malice aforethought, and we want to stress that. We do not believe anybody’s disgrace will inure to our benefit…”
Samuel Atta Akyea
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare has made a formal request for the three implicated senior police officers to be excluded from the proceedings during his testimony in the ongoing leaked tape probe.
The IGP’s request for the absence of the implicated officers during his testimony, according to his lawyer, Kwame Gyan, is aimed at ensuring a fair and impartial examination of the evidence.
Mr Gyan believes that their presence may influence the proceedings and affect the integrity of the investigation.
This move comes as a significant development in the investigation into the leaked audio recording that allegedly contains conversations involving high-ranking police officials plotting the removal of the IGP.
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