KEY POINTS
- Sgt. Ojeyim alleges DIGP Yohuno instructed officers to ignore official transfer orders, calling them unjustified.
- Refusing transfer orders risks disciplinary action, raising governance concerns within Ghana Police Service.
- Judicial review delays disciplinary actions against officers, intensifying scrutiny of police leadership and credibility.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has been accused of directing officers under his command to defy official transfer orders from the Ghana Police administration, according to a sworn court document filed by Sergeant David Ojeyim.
The accusations have sparked significant concerns about discipline and the chain of command within the police service.
Sergeant’s testimony raises alarming claims
In a lawsuit filed at the High Court seeking an Order of Judicial Review, Sgt. Ojeyim alleged that DIGP Yohuno instructed him and 10 other officers not to comply with a police signal ordering their transfer out of Accra.
“Since the team enlisted for the assignment was under the direction and instruction of the Deputy IGP, we informed him on October 2, 2024, of the transfer order, wherefore he directed us not to comply with the same,” Sgt. Ojeyim stated in his sworn deposition.
Ojeyim, a member of the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), revealed that he and the other officers were recruited by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alhaji Jalil Bawa to participate in an intelligence operation called “Operation D-Day.”
The operation was allegedly initiated under DIGP Yohuno’s directive. However, ASP Bawa, who is from the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), did not have the authority to recruit officers for the PID.
While operating under “Operation D-Day,” Ojeyim received a directive ordering his transfer.
The sergeant claims that upon consulting DIGP Yohuno, the deputy IGP directed him and his colleagues to disregard the transfer order, calling it “dubious and without justification.”
Disciplinary ramifications and chain of command concerns
Refusing to obey orders is considered a grave disciplinary offense in the Ghana Police Service, potentially amounting to mutiny.
The allegations, if true, raise serious questions about discipline and governance within the force.
The officers involved have been interdicted and are awaiting the outcome of a service inquiry.
However, any police disciplinary measures are likely to be delayed pending the conclusion of the judicial review.
Uncertain future for DIGP Yohuno
The court will determine the veracity of Sgt. Ojeyim’s claims and decide on the legal implications for DIGP Yohuno and the officers involved.
For now, the case casts a shadow over the internal operations of Ghana’s police force, with potential repercussions for its credibility and leadership structure.
This high-profile legal battle is expected to bring significant scrutiny to the Ghana Police Service as the court proceedings unfold.
