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10 Police Officers sue to block transfers by IGP

Police Officers File Lawsuit to Block Transfers Ordered by IGP

Ten police officers have taken legal action against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), seeking a court order to halt their transfers to new posts, which they describe as baseless and unjustified.

The officers, led by Sergeant David Ojeyim, argue in their lawsuit that the transfers were issued without merit and were contrary to directives from Deputy IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who had tasked them with a special intelligence-gathering operation.

The officers were recruited for the intelligence assignment in September 2024. According to court filings, Deputy IGP Yohuno instructed them to assemble for the task, which included a detailed briefing at ASP Alhaji Jalil Bawa’s residence and the creation of a dedicated WhatsApp group to streamline communication.

However, on October 1, 2024, the officers received transfer notices relocating them to various remote areas in the Upper West, Upper East, and Western Regions, except for one officer assigned to the National Operations Department at the Police Headquarters.

The officers allege that Deputy IGP Yohuno deemed the transfer directive “dubious and unjustified” and instructed them not to comply. Following this, they made official entries in the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) station diary, documenting their refusal to adhere to the transfer order.

The officers have since been interdicted pending a service inquiry. However, the disciplinary process is on hold until the High Court resolves the judicial review of the case.

In their lawsuit, the officers referenced the Police Service Regulations of 2012 (C.I. 76), arguing that their intelligence assignment was lawful and sanctioned by higher authority, rendering the transfers improper.

Sergeant Ojeyim emphasized that the transfers affected all members of the intelligence team and were implemented without clear justification. He added that attempts to obtain written communication regarding their interdiction were unsuccessful, further raising concerns about transparency in the process.

The officers are requesting the High Court to quash the transfer directive and allow them to resume their roles within the intelligence unit. They also seek a review of the interdiction decision, which they claim was executed without due process.

The case highlights tensions within the Ghana Police Service over internal directives and jurisdictional authority, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for handling similar disputes in the future.

Sergeant Ojeyim said the rest of the applicants were later communicated to about their interdiction.

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