The allegations of bias against the chairman of the committee investigating the leaked tape regarding the plot to remove Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from his role as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) do not appear to be subsiding.
Several civil society groups, including Imani Ghana and CDD-Ghana, have chosen to report Samuel Atta Akyea to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.
Following their meeting with the Speaker, the President of Imani Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, stated that Mr. Atta Akyea has been diverting the committee’s focus away from its designated terms of reference.
This deviation, he contends, has had a negative impact on the atmosphere and morale within the Ghana Police Service, necessitating immediate intervention by the Speaker.
Mr. Cudjoe emphasized that the Abuakwa South lawmaker appears to be acting as both judge and jury within his own courtroom.
“We wanted to find out from the Speaker what the original terms of reference for the Committee were. Because we realized that the Committee chairman seems to be setting his questions and answering them.”
“The Speaker was categorical that well, look, I gave the Chairman of the Committee specific terms of reference. To get the authenticity of the tape, basically, those comments that were made and the persons who made them,” Mr Cudjoe said.
Mr Samuel Atta Akyea has refuted the accusations of bias made against him. He contends that he has overseen the proceedings of the Committee impartially and without prejudice.
“The word doctored I used is what did not sit well with him, but what I said is deduced from how it started. Was I not together with my committee members who afforded the IGP the best opportunity to speak to the press?”
Prior to this, Kwame Gyan, who serves as Counsel for Dr. Dampare, expressed his public disappointment regarding Mr. Atta Akyea’s leadership of the committee. He firmly maintained that the MP was treating his client unfairly. According to Kwame Gyan, the chairman, who should ideally remain impartial toward the witnesses, has exhibited clear biases.
In an interview with JoyNews on Monday, October 9, the outspoken lawyer emphasized that Mr. Atta Akyea appears to be pursuing a specific agenda in this matter.
“He has his agenda. He will be granting media interviews to the extent that after one sitting, he went out there and said the extended tape submitted by Bugri Naabu, which had not been played at the committee, has been doctored. Very prejudicial comments,” he said.