The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has assured Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama of a thorough and transparent investigation into allegations that he was assaulted by police officers in Tamale.
The assurance follows a high-level meeting between Mr Mahama, the IGP, and members of the Police Management Board on Thursday, March 26, after the reported incident on March 21.
Speaking to the media, Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said the IGP personally engaged the artist and reiterated the Police Service’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
“Following the incident in Tamale on the 21st of March, the Inspector General of Police extended an invitation to Mr Ibrahim Mahama. Today he came with a delegation to meet with the IGP and members of the Police Management Board,” she stated.
According to her, the IGP listened to Mr Mahama’s account and assured him that investigations would be pursued to their logical conclusion.
“The IGP listened to his side of the story, and he assured him that investigations will continue so we get to the bottom of this matter,” she added.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi disclosed that the Police Professional Standards Bureau was immediately tasked to begin investigations when the matter came to the attention of the IGP, with both criminal and internal disciplinary inquiries running concurrently.
“As soon as it came to the IGP’s attention, he directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau to commence an investigation, and we assured the public that both the criminal investigation and the professional conduct investigation would go on side by side,” she explained.
She noted that preliminary work has already been carried out at the regional level, including taking statements from Mr Mahama and his team, visiting the scene, and following up at his residence.
To ensure a more comprehensive probe, the IGP has now directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over the case, while also instructing the Professional Standards Bureau to expedite its work.
“He has directed that the CID Headquarters take over the investigation. He has also directed the Director-General of the Police Professional Standards Bureau to expedite action,” she said.
DCOP Ansah-Akrofi emphasized that the Police Service would collaborate closely with Mr Mahama throughout the process to ensure a fair outcome.
“Our assurance to Mr Ibrahim Mahama is that the police are willing to work with him throughout the investigation process so we get to the end of this,” she said.
She added that Mr Mahama acknowledged his longstanding relationship with the Police Service, describing the incident as unfortunate.
“He recounted to the police how much the police have been useful to him in his business… and that he has been a friend of the police,” she noted.
The Police Service has pledged accountability if any wrongdoing is established.
“Any persons found culpable will be taken through the due process of the law,” she stressed.
The Service has also called for calm among the public, assuring that updates will be provided as investigations progress.
“So we call for calm and have asked that they remain calm, and we’ll keep them updated, and we’ll keep the public updated as well as both investigations evolve,” DCOP Ansah-Akrofi said.
