IGP dismissed is not exempt from charges of contempt – Srem-Sai

Despite being asked to go on leave, Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante-Apeatu is not exempt from contempt charges, a speaker said.

Judge Srem-Sai, in an interview on Joy FM's Top Story on Monday, said the IGP could have gotten off the case if the charges had been laid against the bureau.

But once, this is not the case, he is still responsible, even in retirement.

The lecturer from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) explained, "The issues of contempt are personal. Because the order made is made to a person who, at the time, held a particular position and was supposed to use it to do what the court ordered.

"No longer at the office, it does not take away the fact that he was at the office and did not do what the court had asked him to do." "

Mr. Asante-Apeatu and Maame Tiwaa Addo Danquah, General Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Department, are charged with contempt of court for refusing to comply with a Gregory Afoko bail order.

Afoko faces a trial for the murder of the president of the Upper East East region, the party of the new ruling patriotic party, Adams Mahama, in 2015.

Although Afoko was released on bail last March, the police refused to release him.

The IGP and the head of the CID are accused of the police's decision to overturn the court's decision to release Gregory Afoko, which led the suspect to spend more than 120 days in pre-trial detention.

They both failed to appear in court three times in a row.

But as President Akufo-Addo asked him to withdraw, many wondered what would happen to the accusations of contempt against him.

Judge Srem-Sai stated that the charges were still in effect.

"The complaint is actually against the person. They did not locate the PGI office in the summons. It was the names of the individuals. Despite the resignation, he must still explain to the court why, at the time, he had not obeyed order.

"This does not in any way transfer claims to the current IGP (James Oppong-Boanuh). Nobody has the official authority to disobey a court order. The law does not allow anyone in any office to disobey a court decision. So, when you act in violation of this decision, you do it outside your office, "added Srem-Sai.

However, he fears that Mr. Asante-Apeatu, who no longer has the support of the state, may be exposed to legal proceedings, which may want to take tough measures against him.

— Myjoyonline