James Agalga, the Vice Chairman of the ad-hoc parliamentary committee tasked with investigating the leaked tape regarding an alleged plot to remove the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has indicated that the committee may extend an invitation to the IGP to aid in their ongoing inquiry.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra, Agalga acknowledged that while former National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bugri Naabu, took responsibility for recording the audio, recent claims by COP Alex Mensah, a prominent police officer involved in the case, have introduced a new dimension to the investigation.
Agalga stated, “Bugri Naabu took responsibility for recording the tape. But today, COP Alex Mensah gave the whole matter another twist. He is now alleging that the Inspector General of Police is the one who engineered the recording of the conversation. That is a very serious allegation to make.”
He continued, “In all fairness to the IGP, the committee may have to invite him to assist in the investigation to determine if he actually played a role in the recording.
So that when it turns out that, yes, indeed, he was involved in having the conversation recorded, then he could also help the committee with the authentication. What the committee is interested in is whether the tape in question is authentic or not.”
Agalga stressed the importance of natural justice and fairness in handling such allegations. He noted, “Bugri Naabu has already taken the lead by saying that he did the recording.
Today you heard Alex Mensah say that aspects of the tape are not genuine. He admitted and took responsibility for some aspects of it.
So I think that it’s only fair that before we make any conclusive statements as a committee, especially as the IGP’s name has been mentioned, in line with natural justice, we should hear from him. But that is my personal view for now.”
During the committee’s hearing on September 1, 2023, COP Alex Mensah, who is currently on leave pending retirement from the Ghana Police Service, contended that the current audio had been heavily edited.
He also suggested that the IGP was involved in the recording and leaking of the tape, which has added complexity to the ongoing investigation.
Discussion about this post