Plot to sack CID bosses exposed

The controversy over the East Legon cocaine bust, which led to the arrest of two Venezuelans and the dismissal of a Chief State Attorney, Francis Amison Agbolosu, from the Attorney-General's Department is also causing ripples that could grow into a storm to threaten the disintegration of the Ghana Police Service.

The Independent, a private Ghanaian newspaper claims it has already drawn a wedge between the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong and some top officers of the Criminal Investigations Departments (CID) at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

The paper says it has information that trouble is brewing over an alleged plot by the IGP and his cronies at the top echelon of the service to sack the Director-General of the CID, Mr. David Asante Appeatu and his Deputy, Patrick Ampawuah and a host of officers in that department.

“The plot, our sources say, is being hatched in the form of the institution of a counter-committee to investigate allegations of $170.000 bribery allegation leveled against some top officers at the CID headquarters by one Grace Asebrei, girlfriend to the Colombian cocaine magnate, Geraldo Vasques, who is currently on the run.”

It will be recalled that National Security has already set up a committee to investigate the same allegation, and the report of the team charged to undertake it, “our scouts tell us is almost ready”.

Miss Grace Asebrei, who is said to be currently holidaying in London, has refused to appear before the committee set up by National Security to give evidence of the allegations of bribery she leveled against Superintendent Tabiri and other officers of CID department.

“According to our informants, the IGP intends to set up a committee, which would be packed with officers loyal to him, and chaired by Mr Yaw Adu-Gyimah, Commissioner In Charge of Technical and Services.”

According to the Independent report, among other strategies to get rid of Mr Appeatu and some top officials of the CID who he is uncomfortable with, the IGP is set to interdict the CID boss, his deputy and other officers under the guise of paving the way for thorough and unimpeded investigations into the allegations.

“Our police sources said, this situation would then be used as a platform to dismiss Mr Appeatu and others from the service as all attempts are being made to implicate them and subsequently indict them for the offence of bribery.”

“This is a ploy to get rid of Appeatu and co for no just reason,” an angry police officer, who pleaded anonymity, told the Independent and added, “Appeatu and the IGP, once [cronies] have now fallen apart.”

The plot which is alleged to have been hatched in the IGP's office was set rolling in the media with the issuance of a press release stating that the police would not shield anybody who is seen to be going wayward and indulging in activities that tend to dent the image of the Service.

Meanwhile there is growing disenchantment and disillusionment among some personnel over the manner in which the IGP is handling the affairs of the service. They wondered whether the Archer Report on how to improve conditions in the service does exist and whether the recommendations are being followed and implemented.