The Accra High Court has rejected a petition filed by a university lecturer aimed at preventing COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno from executing his duties as Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) for operations.
The plaintiff, Emmanuel Felix Mantey, argued that both the Police Council and the Office of the President had overstepped their authority in appointing a Deputy IGP specifically for operations.
COP Yohuno’s July 17 appointment follows the advice of the Police Council during its meeting where COP Yohuno’s exceptional credentials and dedication to duty were acknowledged.
But Mr Mantey contended that neither the Constitution nor the Ghana Police Service Act officially recognise this role.
He added that the only legal document hinting at such a position, the Police Service Regulations, does not provide for a deputy solely dedicated to operations.
In his judicial review request, Mr Mantey alleged that the President and the Police Council acted beyond their legal bounds by creating an unauthorized office within the police hierarchy.
However, Justice Richard Apietu dismissed the application.
The judge ruled that the matter indicated that the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court was not properly invoked.
In his ruling, Justice Apietu explained that while such powers of the court are concerned with adjudicatory functions exercised by lower adjudicating bodies, the President and the Police Council are not lower adjudicating bodies.
Justice Apietu further argued that the President and the Police Council were exercising administrative powers.
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