Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee investigating the leaked tape of an alleged scheme to depose the Inspector General of Police, Samuel Atta Akyea, has dismissed accusations of bias against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, describing the allegation as baseless.
Kwame Gyan, the IGP’s lawyer, stated that Mr. Atta Akyea was unfair to his client and that his actions demonstrated that he had an agenda towards Dr. Akuffo-Dampare.
He alleged that the committee chairman had made prejudicial comments that could compromise the integrity of the investigation.
However, the Abuakwa South MP has denied these allegations, claiming that he has conducted the committee’s business impartially.
“It’s a baseless allegation and the rest of the committee members thought that the lawyer who said it would be bold to say it again, and they would respond, but he didn’t,” he asserted.
Mr. Atta Akyea explained, “The word doctored is what did not sit well with him, but I could say it’s feasible from how it started.”
“Was I not together with my committee members who afforded the IGP the best opportunity to speak to the press?” he quizzed.
He said it is untenable for the IGP’s counsel to accuse him of bias after he and his committee members afforded Dr. Akuffo-Dampare the opportunity to speak to the press.
On the issue of preventing members of the Police Management Board from sitting through the in-camera proceedings, Atta Akyea said allowing them to sit in would have defeated the purpose of the in-camera hearing.
“It will not be fair for non-witnesses to be present and that was the thinking of the committee. What’s the meaning of the in-camera? What’s the discrimination here?
“Why should we admit senior officers to come when they’re not going to speak? These are some absurd positions some can say and get away with it,” he stated.
By Ernest Kofi Adu