The Accra Operations Commander of Police has refuted claims by the East Legon Commander that the latter was sidelined in the bloody Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

Chief Supt. Kwesi Ofori told the Commission investigating the disturbances at La Bawaleshie during the by-election that it is impossible DSP George Asare could be sidelined.

“We don’t have that power, therefore, we won’t dare,” he said.

He explained that the Airport Divisional Commander was directed to deploy his personnel. “So being a subset of the Airport Division…DSP Asare cannot say he has not been deployed,” Ofori stated.

According to Kwesi Ofori, three officers including an Immigration officer were deployed to the East Legon area but with no intention of usurping the powers of the District Commander.

DSP Asare testified that he was sidelined in the by-election operation

“…they were there to take charge of specific electoral areas.” As the District Commander, DSP Asare is the overall commander at East Legon, neither I nor the Regional Commander can deny him that,” he espoused.

Kwesi Ofori confirms Asare’s disgruntlement

Speaking on the complaints of DSP Asare, Kwesi Ofori corroborated what the District Commander told the Commission.

However, he said when Asare confronted him on whether he had been sidelined, he asked his “good friend” to refer to the operational schedule, which stated that he has been deployed by the Divisional Commander.

In a turn of events, he stated that the DSP was on active duty during the by-elections.

DSP Asare had previously told the Commission that he only got into action on January 31, after the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Patrick Adusei Sarpong, called him after violence had broken out at La Bawaleshie.

Despite confirming that DSP Asare was present in La Bawaleshie to calm tempers, Chief Supt. Ofori was insistent that the former was on active duty before then.

“I saw him…going round in his jurisdiction,” he unequivocally stated. He added that he was surprised, therefore, that the DSP testified before the Commission suggesting he was sidelined.