Samuel Atta Akyea, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee tasked with investigating a leaked audio recording involving senior police officers, has raised serious concerns about the recent interdiction of three senior police officers.

The controversy began on Thursday morning when the Ghana Police Service issued a press statement announcing the interdiction of three senior officers due to their alleged involvement in the viral audio recording.

This recording, which has been under parliamentary scrutiny, is believed to contain discussions regarding a plot to remove Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

The interdiction letter was an interference in the committee's work - Atta Akyea. #TheProbe pic.twitter.com/XitOwQeUmS

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) September 10, 2023

However, the situation took an unexpected turn later in the day when another press statement, dated September 7, 2023, was released by the police administration.

This statement announced the suspension of the interdiction "in order not to prejudice the ongoing probe [by Parliament].”

But speaking on JoyNews' The Probe, Chairman Samuel Atta Akyea expressed his astonishment at the initial interdiction.

• Plot to remove IGP: Dampare to appear before committee on September 12

"It is very important for people to understand the scope of the Speaker's terms of reference for us… I was surprised at the letter of interdiction issued by the Police Administration. It was a raw and direct interference with what we were doing," he quizzed on Sunday, September 10, 2023.

"What was the interdiction supposed to achieve when a committee of parliament invited them? It was an affront to democracy for anyone to interdict these people… I am glad that they saw how serious the interdiction vis-à-vis the committee's work was and decided that they should suspend it.”

Mr. Atta Akyea's comments raise crucial questions about the intentions behind the initial interdiction of the senior police officers.

He emphasized the importance of parliamentary oversight and independence in conducting investigations, suggesting that the interdiction may have been an attempt to undermine the committee's work.

The Chairman of the ad-hoc committee further revealed the Committee has invited Dr George Akuffo Dampare to appear before it on Tuesday, September 12.

According to Mr Atta Akyea, the essence of this invitation is to grant the IGP an opportunity for his side of the story to be heard by the Committee as grave allegations are being levelled against him.

The Chairman stated in an interview on JoyNews’ The Probe, “On Tuesday, all the individuals (Chief Daniel Bugri Naabu, Supt. George L. Asare, (COP) George Alex Mensah, and Supt. Emmanuel Eric Gyebi) … will come back with their lawyers.

“Also, the most prominent person whose name has been bandied about, the IGP himself should also come with his lawyers.”

He emphasised this hearing would be done in-camera, explaining that there were issues in the hearing that needed to be prevented from coming out in the public to protect national security.