The Accra High Court has dismissed a legal challenge brought forward by university lecturer Emmanuel Felix Mantey, which sought to block COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno from assuming his role as Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Operations.
In his petition, Mr. Mantey argued that the appointment of a Deputy IGP specifically for operations by both the Police Council and the Office of the President exceeded their legal authority. He contended that neither the Constitution nor the Ghana Police Service Act recognizes the position of a Deputy IGP dedicated solely to operations.
Mr. Mantey further pointed out that the only existing reference to such a role is found in the Police Service Regulations, which do not explicitly provide for a deputy focused exclusively on operations.
Mr. Mantey claimed that the creation of this position constituted an unauthorized expansion within the police hierarchy, asserting that the President and the Police Council had overstepped their bounds by establishing an office not officially sanctioned by law.
However, Justice Richard Apietu ruled against Mr. Mantey’s application, determining that the High Court did not have the appropriate jurisdiction to hear the case. Justice Apietu explained that the dispute did not pertain to the adjudicatory functions of lower courts, as the President and the Police Council are not subordinate adjudicating bodies but are instead exercising their administrative powers in the appointment process.
The judge highlighted that the High Court’s supervisory jurisdiction was not properly invoked in this instance, leading to the dismissal of the petition. Consequently, COP Yohuno’s appointment as Deputy IGP for Operations stands affirmed, following the Police Council’s endorsement of his exceptional qualifications and commitment to duty during their July 17 meeting.