Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has condemned the government’s decision to appoint a new Inspector General of Police (IGP), while a Supreme Court ruling on the removal of the former IGP is still pending.
Reacting to the changes in police hierarchy on March 14, Mr Bentil expressed a strong disapproval of President John Mahama’s decision to replace Dr. George Akuffo Dampare with COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
He argued that the appointment was a clear act of contempt towards the highest court in the land, emphasising that it was unlawful to make such a decision while a case was before the court.
He further explained that the legal principle is clear: when a case is under judicial review, it is improper and contemptuous to take actions that may undermine or invalidate the court’s final decision.
“This is a case of overreaching the court’s authority. For about a year, a case had been pending before they took office. The court is set to deliver its ruling soon, but the president has gone ahead with the appointment,” Bentil stated.
He pointed out that this decision could lead to confusion, especially if the court rules in favour of the plaintiffs, who argue that the president should not remove the IGP or other security heads without just cause.
He stressed that the issue is not about individuals like Dr. Dampare or COP Yohuno but about maintaining the integrity of the security system.
The case has significant implications, and Bentil warned that if the court rules against the government’s actions, it could lead to a problematic situation where the appointment is challenged.
In the background, IMANI Ghana and security expert Prof. Kwesi Aning had filed a suit at the Supreme Court seeking an injunction to prevent the removal of the IGP and other security heads until the court rules on the matter, but President Mahama proceeded to name a new IGP on the same day.
The plaintiffs argued that the security officials would be unfairly treated if removed before the case is decided in May 2025.
The injunction request sought to halt any changes to the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, Fire Service, and Prisons Service while the case was being decided.
The plaintiffs contended that the government would not suffer harm if the injunction is granted, as the ruling is imminent.
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