One of the police officers named in a leaked tape to oust the current Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare has denied that he went directly to meet former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Regional Chairman, Bugri Naabu.

Superintendent George Asare said he only went to Mr Naabu through his son.

Appearing before the committee probing the issue on Monday, September 4, he denied plotting the removal of Mr George Akuffo Dampare.

"The first time I met him was when his son prophet Emmanuel Teye Bugri Naabu took me to his office that he was going to say hello. I have known him (Emmanuel Teye Bugri Naabu) for about two years"

• Livestream: Probe of officers in alleged plot to remove IGP continues

Superintendent Asare also said has never lobbied for anything in his professional life. However, he also added that lobbying is not a bad thing.

"Lobbying has been with man since antiquity. It is not today that lobbying started. In some jurisdictions, there are some bodies that are called lobbyists and if you want them to lobby for you, you just engage them and they do the job for you but I have not lobbied for anything before."

• Committee hearing on alleged plot to remove IGP continues today

On July 25, the Speaker of Parliament named Abuakwa South MP, Samuel Atta-Akyea as the chairperson of a 7-member ad-hoc committee to probe the recently leaked controversial audio in which voices are heard clandestinely plotting to oust the Inspector General of Police.

The viral audio, which revealed a supposed conspiracy by a senior police officer and a leading member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare from office, resulted in a debate on the floor of Parliament with the Minority calling for a forensic audit.

Subsequently, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin proposed the setting up of the Special Committee.

Mr. Bagbin asked the committee to submit its report by September 10, 2023.