Sergeant David Ojeyim, in a lawsuit filed at the High Court seeking an Order of Judicial Review, claimed his refusal to comply with a Police Signal (directive) was based on direct orders from the Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

In Paragraph 18 of his sworn testimony, Sgt Ojeyim stated: “Since the team enlisted for the assignment was at the direction and instruction of the Deputy IGP, we informed him on 2 October 2024 about the transfer signal, whereupon he directed us not to comply with it. He further directed us to make an entry into the station diary, which we complied with.”

According to Sgt Ojeyim, a member of the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), he and 11 other officers were recruited by ASP Jalil Bawa of the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) on instructions from Mr Yohuno for an “Intelligence Gathering” operation dubbed “Operation D-Day”.

Sgt Ojeyim contends that ASP Bawa, not a member of the PID, lacked the authority to recruit or instruct him and the other officers.

However, they complied, given the directive allegedly originated from the Deputy IGP.

In his deposition, Sgt Ojeyim further explained that while carrying out their tasks under “Operation D-Day”, a WhatsApp group was set up to coordinate the activities. During this period, he and several team members received a transfer directive relocating them from Accra.

Sgt Ojeyim claimed that upon informing the Deputy IGP of the transfer order, they were directed to disregard it as it was “dubious and without justification.”

The allegation raises serious questions about discipline within the Ghana Police Service, particularly as disobedience to orders is considered mutiny, the most severe disciplinary offence in the security services.

Discipline in such institutions relies heavily on a system of “Command and Control.”

When junior officers allege that the second-highest-ranking officer directed them to disobey orders, it suggests a significant breakdown in hierarchy and discipline.

The officers who disobeyed the transfer directive have since been interdicted pending a service inquiry.

However, with the case now before the High Court, any disciplinary action will have to wait until the court proceedings are concluded.

The implications for Deputy IGP Christian Yohuno remain uncertain, pending the adoption of the testimony in court.

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On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, which noted that the decision was made following the advice of the Police Council during its meeting on the same day.

The statement highlighted COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty.

However, in a writ filed at the High Court on Thursday, August 1, Mr Mantey is seeking a court order to prohibit COP Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno from acting in the role of Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

He is also requesting the court to restrain the Attorney General and the Police Council from taking any actions to further the appointment of COP Yohuno.

Mantey is asking for an order of judicial review with the following reliefs:

a. An order prohibiting COP Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno from acting in the role of Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

b. An order prohibiting the respondents from carrying out any actions in furtherance of COP Yohuno’s appointment.

Additionally, on July 30, a private legal practitioner, Justice Abdulai also filed a similar suit against the Attorney General and the Police Council regarding the recent appointment of COP Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

Justice Abdulai contends that the appointment of COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno is unconstitutional.

He made this argument in a writ dated July 30, 2024.

On July 17, President Akufo-Addo appointed Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the Deputy IGP in charge of operations.

But the lawyer is praying the court to restrain COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno “from acting or purporting to act as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations.”

“A further order restraining the Inspector General of Police or any command under him from accepting, relating to and/or issuing instructions or commands to COP Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno in his assumed capacity as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in Charge of Operation.”

The Jubilee House said the appointment followed the advice of the Police Council during its meeting today, where COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty were acknowledged.

The statement described the Commissioner as a distinguished law enforcement officer with a career spanning over three decades who has held key positions within the Service.

According to him, even though he supports Dr Bawumia, he said his victory must be achieved legitimately.

“Everybody knows where I stand but if Dr Bawumia is going to win this election, let him win it fair and square,” he said.

His comments come after President Akufo-Addo appointed Commissioner of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno as the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

Since this news broke, a section of Ghanaians have questioned the motive suggesting that it could be an alternative means to “clip the wings” of IGP Dr George Dampare or remove him.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsfile Mr Bentil stated that the President made an error in appointing a deputy IGP with a designated task, arguing that it lends credence to the allegations in the leaked audio suggesting a plot to oust Dr Dampare for his uncompromising stance against rigging the upcoming election.

“The NPP as a group absolved itself sufficiently when they voted together with the minority to accept the Commission’s report in Parliament and that showed that the NPP didn’t have a problem and did not have a problem with IGP Dampare and not seeking to remove him,” he said on Saturday.

Despite this, Mr Bentil expressed concern over actions by certain government operatives that he believes undermine this commitment.

“Now you clearly have a situation where operatives within this same government have gone to do something which is clearly not permitted within the law so it brings back that situation.”

“… We’re not stupid, people see what is going on and it doesn’t help anybody,” he told Samson Lardy Anyenini.

He warned that the actions of these operatives could hurt public perception.

“When you have a situation that the nation is moving in a certain direction what will change minds is talking. Dr Bawumia is campaigning so those operatives who think that this is a way to win the election are wrong and they should stop it!”

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On July 17, President Akufo-Addo appointed COP Yohuno as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

Critics have raised concerns about the timing of the appointment, suggesting it might prompt further changes in the police hierarchy.

However, speaking to JoyNews on July 19, the former police officer stated that there is nothing wrong with the president’s appointment.

He argued that, COP Yohuno would play a different role and relieve the IGP of pressure.

“There is no duplication here at all. It doesn’t mean that Mr Yohuno is going to take Director General Operations job, no. But he goes wide, his supervisory work is expanded.”

“When he was Director General of Administration he was doing routine work, routine work of signing documents and giving directives generally through the IGP. But those departments were not reporting to him directly. Which means that the Inspector General of Police may be doing too much and so when he is not there it becomes a challenge. So, this time round the IGP could be a bit relieved and his work could be much more effective,” he added.

He said this role was not novel and will help reduce the current work load on the IGP.

Speaking to assertions that this could be linked to the IGP leaked tape saga, ACP Agordzo said the two have nothing in common.

He said the President has the authority to appoint and remove officials and that the President was only performing his duty.

ACP Agordzo advised individuals to desist from reading too much into some of these appointments.

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President Akufo-Addo appointed Commissioner of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, as the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations.

However, Mr Agalga believes the specific position of ‘Operations’ lacks context and clarity.

Jubilee House states that the appointment follows the advice of the Police Council during its meeting today, where COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty were acknowledged.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnite, the Builsa North MP expressed concern over what he says appears to be a move to create another office for ‘administration.’

Mr Agalga was emphatic that the wording could have been straightforward if the intent was to subsequently announce a second officer in a similar position.

Security expert, Adam Bonaa speaking on the same show agreed with the MP’s position.

Both guests, however, congratulated the new Deputy IGP and acknowledged his contribution to the service so far.

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This appointment follows the advice of the Police Council at its meeting held today, Wednesday, 17th July 2024, during which COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty were acknowledged.

COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno is a distinguished law enforcement officer with a career spanning over three decades.

He has held various key positions within the Ghana Police Service.

President Akufo-Addo extends his heartfelt congratulations to COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno on his well-deserved appointment and wishes him the very best in the discharge of his duties.

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