The chairman of the special parliamentary committee probing the audio regarding the plot to oust the Inspector General of Police, Samuel Atta Akyea has blocked members of the police management board from sitting through the in camera proceedings
The senior police officers had accompanied their boss to the hearing as they did when he first appeared before the committee.
However, at the hearing today Mr Atta Akyea asked them to leave before the actual hearing begins. The officers have been compelled to wait for the IGP at the conference room.
According to sources at the committee, the chairman says he is uncomfortable with the presence of the officers.
Meanwhile, lawyer for the IGP has leveled serious allegations against the chairman of the committee accusing him of pursuing an agenda against his client. Even though the IGP is the victim of the leaked tape, the chairman has turned the committee into a witch-hunt of the IGP, converting him from being the victim to the accused and subjecting him to a far reaching and open ended interrogation on behalf of his detractors.
During a conversation with Joy News, Lawyer Kwame Gyan expressed concerns over Mr. Atta-Akyea’s conduct, alleging that the committee chairman was making prejudicial comments that could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
Mr. Atta-Akyea, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, has come under intense scrutiny for his handling of the case.
Mr Gyan accused Mr. Atta-Akyea of operating as if he were a sole commissioner overseeing the investigation. He expressed his team’s reluctance to accept such a situation going forward.
“He has his own agenda,” Mr. Gyan asserted, hinting that Mr. Atta-Akyea has revealed his biased intentions for all to see.
Lawyer Gyan accused Mr. Atta-Akyea of granting media interviews after committee meetings with detrimental comments. He accused Mr Atta Akyea of disclosing matters that he himself reserved for in-camera hearing and fabricating stories without basis. Lawyer Gyan continued, “He will be granting media interviews to the extent that after one sitting, he went out there and said the extended tape which was submitted by Bugri Naabu, and had not been played at the committee, has been doctored. Very prejudicial comments”
The legal counsel for the IGP expressed his and his client’s respect for Parliament along with the individuals serving on the committee, stating the IGP has demonstrated his humility by appearing before the committee when he did not need to.
However, he signaled his intention to adopt a more assertive legal stance moving forward. “Because of respect for Parliament and the institution and persons on the Committee, I drop my guns, but I’m going to do what lawyers do, going forward” Lawyer Gyan stated. He indicated he was going to hold the chairman to the remit of the committee as set up by the Speaker of Parliament in order to ensure that the purpose for which the committee was setup is achieved and nothing more.
It will be recalled that 3 serving police officers and a former regional chairman of NPP were caught on tape plotting the removal of the IGP.
Many observers and civil society organizations have expressed concern about this being a calculated attempt to tarnish the reputation of the IGP and succeed in removing him from office.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
