Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno has been accused of directing police officers to disregard orders from the Ghana Police Service administration, according to claims made in a sworn court document.
The allegations were brought forward by Sergeant David Ojeyim, a member of the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), in a lawsuit filed at the High Court seeking an Order of Judicial Review. Sgt. Ojeyim claims that DIGP Yohuno instructed him and 10 other officers to defy a transfer directive issued by the Police administration.
In his testimony, Sgt. Ojeyim stated, “Since the team enlisted for the assignment was at the direction and instruction of the Deputy IGP, we informed him on October 2, 2024, of the transfer signal, wherefore he directed us not to comply with same as it was dubious and without any justification.”
The sergeant detailed that he and his colleagues were recruited by ASP Alhaji Jalil Bawa, an officer from the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD), under instructions from DIGP Yohuno for an intelligence operation codenamed “Operation D-Day.” Sgt. Ojeyim noted that ASP Bawa, despite not being a member of the PID, had overseen the recruitment of officers for the operation.
While serving under “Operation D-Day,” Sgt. Ojeyim and the team received a directive transferring them out of Accra. Upon notifying DIGP Yohuno of the transfer signal, they were allegedly instructed by him to ignore the directive, citing its questionable legitimacy.
The matter has since escalated, with the officers who disobeyed the transfer orders being interdicted pending a service inquiry. However, Sgt. Ojeyim’s decision to seek judicial intervention has delayed any disciplinary proceedings until the court delivers its ruling.
Legal and ethical concerns have emerged from these allegations, as refusing to obey lawful orders is considered a serious disciplinary offense within the police service, potentially amounting to mutiny. The chain of command is fundamental to maintaining discipline within security organizations, and accusations of senior officers encouraging defiance raise critical questions about the integrity and cohesion of the force.
The outcome of this legal battle could have far-reaching implications for the Ghana Police Service. If the court substantiates Sgt. Ojeyim’s claims, it could bring Deputy-IGP Christian Yohuno’s leadership into question and potentially expose broader governance issues within the service.
For now, the fate of the implicated officers and DIGP Yohuno remains uncertain, as the judicial process seeks to establish the facts behind these explosive allegations.
Below is the full court document:
Source: InsiderGH.com