Eric Opoku: So, you did not approve of it?
Supt Asare: I did not approve of it because I don’t do those things.
Eric Opoku: Okay, page 24, top there – speaker three, hmm Alhaji but you know why you will not… I told him you cannot he doesn’t…
Supt Asare: Hon. Chair, which place is this?
Counsel: Page 24. I read, but you know why you will not…I told him you cannot. He doesn’t only contrast. You also go spiritual way and then you responded. Speaker three, okay. What is the meaning of okay here.
CONTINUATION …
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair which place is this?
Eric Opoku: Page 24 of the transcript: “hmm…” after Speaker 3, then Alhaji. I read: “But you know why you will not…I told him, you cannot, he doesn’t only contrasts. You also goes, spiritual way” and then you responded, Speaker 3: “Okay” what is the meaning of okay here?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair he was informing me of something and I responded okay.
Eric Opoku: And I am asking the meaning of okay!
Speaker: The meaning of Okay?
Eric Opoku: Yes. Approved that you should go spiritual way and you said okay, approved?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair like I said that spiritual matter, it was in two ways – either Christianity or other faiths but he insisted, please Hon. Chair, he insisted that he has some Mallams, as I used those words interchangeably or Imams, yes.
Eric Opoku: Okay. Then the same page the last one. “Alhaji but there are certain things I cannot use my own to do it, you understand me. So, I…yes, you are working but you should not sit down and say you are working. This kind of job like the President, IGP, Chief of Defence Staff, Army Commander; these are the people controlling most money in the country affairs. And they need spiritually because if they are going to do this thing, I and you will not be there.” And then you remarked: “You and I were not there.” Then you burst into laughter. Is it your statement, you and I were not there?
Supt. Asare: That is correct.
Eric Opoku: Mr. chairman, this is my last question. Page 25, “Alhaji, I thought by now you would have come back to me so that it will help me. Yes, people like m and you said okay.” What is the meaning of that?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair, this okay attributed to me, I don’t understand it but erh…if I should try. I don’t understand it.
Eric Opoku: I’m done.
Atta Akyea: Your colleague is not satisfied so he is requested to ask you one question. Then madam, would you want to have your turn? Okay then we will come to madam because I want to give virtually the last place to vice. I don’t have many questions, because I started the introduction. So please you have the floor.
Peter Toobu: Thank you chairman, we are trying to assist the public. Supt Asare, if I may be allowed to put it this way, you and your brother, your boss, your preferred candidate for IGP, Commissioner George Mensah, painted a picture that the current Inspector General of Police is not managing the police service well, is that right?
Supt. Asare: No hon. Chair
Peter Toobu: I thought you said if they changed him and put your boss there you will be very happy, am I wrong?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair I have never made this statement here. Change, I have never used the word change today here in the Office of Parliament. Change, no!
Peter Toobu: Okay. But if they appointed Commissioner Mensah, automatically they can’t have two IGPs, the current one will be gone, and you will be very happy. Is that right?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair because he Chief Bugri Naabu said the current IGP was going to be changed so it did not come from any of us.
Peter Toobu: Can I just read C.I.76 regulation 6 (1) and 6(3) just for the edification of the public and your comment will be required. Regulation 6(1): The Inspector General of Police is the head of the Service and subject to the provisions of Article 202 of the Constitution and to the control and direction of the Council is responsible for the operational control and the administration of the Ghana Police Service.” I just want you to take note of control and direction of the Council I’m talking about is the Police Council.
Regulation 6(3) says: “The Inspector General of Police shall be assisted by the Deputy Assistant of Police,” so here we have the Inspector of General of Police in the maiden, below him is the Deputy Inspector of Police who is supposed to assist him, above him is the Police Council. So, when you impinge non-performance on the IGP by extension is an indictment on the police council and the lack of Deputy Inspector of Police. Your comment on this, your personal comment on this you are a police officer?
Supt Asare: Hon Chair, I’m surprised to hear this from my brother Hon. Toobu, I have never made that statement here. And in the tape, I never made that comment or statement in it. So, I’m surprised to hear this that I’m impugning somebody’s performance. No. if you can play that side for me to hear. Impugning somebody’s performance, no. I never made that statement.
Peter Toobu: Supt Asare I only asked for your comments vis-à-vis what the law says. The law says above the IGP, there is a Police Council, below the IGP directly is the Deputy Inspector of Police who is supposed to provide him with assistance. The IGP doesn’t have a deputy but the IGP has a Police Council. Should anybody impugn integrity or the performance or capacity of the IGP do you think that it will also be an indictment on the supervisor that is to say the Police Council. I just asked for your honest comment. I didn’t say you said that?
Supt Asare: No.
Atta Akyea: So, let me yield to the Member of Parliament who is a female and also a former Police officer. So okay right now how many Police officers, I mean have joined us as Members of Parliament, only two here? Okay. So, I think erh…you gonna hear a voice, which is not of a male. So, you know how to answer questions.
Ophelia Mensah: Thank you Hon Chair. Good afternoon and sorry for coming in late because I had to travel and also I missed my flight as well. So, Commissioner, I have few questions to ask.
Supt Asare: Thank you for promoting me to Commissioner, I appreciate. Haha!
Ophelia Mensah: Sorry Supt. Asare. I want to delve into the conspiracy to remove the IGP and so I have few things for you to affirm or deny. Is Bugri Naabu, Chief Bugri Naabu, a friend of yours?
Supt Asare: No. Hon. Chair
Ophelia Mensah: From the evidence given earlier from Chief Bugri Naabu, you initiated the meeting because you came to him and then introduced Commissioner Mensah to him, as someone fit to become an IGP. Is that so?
Supt Asare: That is not so. Hon. Chair in his statement, he told the Committee that before he met the two of us at his office he had already met Commissioner to the extent that his CV was even given to him. Thus, Commissioner’s CV was given to him.
Ophelia Mensah: Very well. On that said date, per Chief’s evidence you were supposed to meet around 4pm and the message was conveyed through you to the others but unfortunately, you were the last to come for that meeting, is it true?
Supt Asare: Hon. Chair it is true that I was last to go to his office but em…it wasn’t others. The people that met to have that conversation in Alhaji’s office were three; myself, Commissioner and Chief Bugri Naabu. We were only three. But I was the last to go there because at a point I wasn’t getting the import why so many calls? I didn’t know that there was a danger awaiting me. My instincts were telling me not to go. Had it not been that Commissioner called me finally, I wouldn’t have gone. Because why I don’t need anything from you. What is it so special about this invitation. Calling me 12 time conservatively in a space of three hours what at all was his intention? I didn’t know.
Ophelia Mensah: Superintendent, you had earlier on agreed with these two people to have a meeting and we all or you all agreed that we will be meeting at 4pm. So, what is it that later you decided not to turn up on time. That is what I wanted to know?
Supt Asare: Mr. Chair, that wasn’t an agreement. It wasn’t an agreement that I want to see you, come. I don’t see that as an agreement. And as I indicated I was late my instincts were telling me not to go because the calls were too many. 12 calls
Ophelia Mensah: Did Alhaji call you after the tape has been leaked?
Supt. Asare: That is correct, hon chair
Ophelia Mensah: And what was his words can you tell the committee?
Supt. Asare: Hon Chair after the tape had leaked, I didn’t know a friend of mine called me, I have been hearing your voice on air why have you had a meeting with somebody that has come out in the public domain. So, I asked that the person sends me a copy of it, he sent it to me and I listened and it was my voice. Then I realised eii! Alhaji was that the reason why he was calling me left, center, right like that? Later Alhaji called. He called me Asante I thought he was confusing my name Asare for Asante so I didn’t ask any question. Ah! Why have you given the thing out they are playing, discussing the tape. Why did you do that and then I just hanged up.
Patrick Boamah: You said he referred to you as Asante?
Supt. Asare: Asante
Patrick Boamah: Asante
Supt. Asare: Asante not Asare.
Patrick Boamah: Alright. Okay. You proceed.
Supt. Asare: Asante so in fact because someone has earlier called to tell me this is what has happened. In fact, I wasn’t happy. Why do you do this to me and later turn round and come and ask me Asante. Why have you done this? What is the meaning of all these?
Atta Akyea: So, by your reckoning Chief Bugri Naabu called the wrong person. Can you deduce that?
Supt Asare: That it is. That is correct
James Agalga: Supt Asare Bugri Naabu is one record as having said that when he called you, you actually threatened him. Did you do that?
Supt Asare: I have listened carefully to the tape threw times. The one that was played when Chief Bugri Naabu appeared before you and the two times the tape was played. I listened carefully to it. Bugri Naabu didn’t say that when he called me, I threatened him. What he did states was that when he called, I just handed up the phone and then later on his son, maybe you can play it again can you will hear this one. His son came to tell him that I have threatened him that he will see that he is trying the suggest that I threatened him through his son, Prophet Emmanuel Tey Bugri Naabu. I know him directly that is not what he said.
James Agalga: But did you have any discussions with Prophet Bugri Naabu after the audio has leaked?
Supt Asare: Of course, yes Hon. Chair.
James Agalga: What did you tell Prophet Bugri Naabu after the tape had leaked?
Supt Asare: It could be either I called him or he called me, asking me about what has happened and then he started… initially he knew or he thought…let me choose my words carefully it was his father that leaked the tape, that recorded us and leaked the tape. So, when he called, he condemned his father for that singular act of his. That you invite people to your office, you will record them and then put it out into the public domain but later upon further inquiries, remember I’m a police man for investigations I’m very smart at that but that side when we meet in camera, we will know who did the recording, who were sent by who and on what promise to who. You will get it when we meet in camera and you will see that this inquiry that has been set up it would either be a causing financial loss to the state by somebody.
Atta Akyea: Yes, my good brother, why were you trying to tell the committee that you were a good investigator?
Supt Asare: I’m sorry. Apologies
Atta Akyea: Yes, because you can set your own exams and then when you finish marking you want to yourself a grade. Yeah. Well, I’m only poking fun but let my sister finish then you will conclude.
Ophelia Mensah: Superintendent, chief Bugri Naabu informed this committee that wasn’t the full tape, you are also alluding to the fact that the tape is doctored. Why do you think somebody will doctor that rape and if so, who would you think would have done this?
Supt. Asare: Hon. Chair, these are some of the matters that I have promised the committee that I want to do it in camera because it concerns national security. It is a serious matter. I want to do it in camera.
Ophelia Mensah: My last question. Let me take you to page 76 of the transcript. I think our last sitting Mr Mensah said: “Mr. Chairman intel suggest that what was used to tape the conversation was done by the current IGP. He sent some people to do it after which he went for it. So, the tape from the intel, the tape from my intel is with the IGP and he caused it to be leaked. So, if this committee wants the tape the right person to call is bla, bla…is the IGP. And then I want to know why do you think Commissioner Mensah will make such as a statement?
Supt Asare: Hon chair, with your indulgence, I also have the same intel
Ophelia Mensah: That?
Supt Asare: I also have the same intel eeer…(speaking under tone to his lawyer, I should mention his name?)… I also have the same intel that hmm…that the IGP agreed with Bugri Naabu after Bugri Naabu had gone to inform the IGP that somebody wants your post oo he has come to me, to the extent that the CV that was collected from the Commissioner and sent to Bugri Naabu by those boys. They are two. They are prepared to come here and testify. They are two. They collected it sent it to Bugri Naabu. Bugri Naabu gave the CV, the CV that was intended for the appointing authority he gave it to the IGP. I will be happy that I say more when I’m in camera because it is not a healthy development at all.
Patrick Boamah: Chairman including the two boys.
Supt Asare: Two boys. If you could remember when Alhaji called me he knows my name, I’m Asare but God works under mysterious circumstances. I don’t know what moved Bugri Naabu into calling me Asante. And this Asante per our intel is a Corporal or Sergeant that has been promoted to go to Police College to become an ASP. And this same ASP it was Commissioner George Alex Mensah that made him go to the Peacekeeping Mission. Master let me say this in camera.
Ophelia Mensah: I don’t know whether I should put my last question because of the answer you just gave. But let me just play the devil’s advocate. If someone said that day you were late because you knew that conversation was going to be recorded, what would be your answer to that person?
Supt Asare: The person may be was joking, it is not true. How can that be? How can I record myself and put it out in the public domain, I can’t do that?
Ophelia Mensah: Chairman, I think I’m done.
Atta Akyea: I’m grateful to you honourable member. Now let’s go to the Vice Chairman who has whispered to me privately that he will not write an encyclopedia.
James Agalga: No. Chairman I don’t have too many questions to ask because emm… Supt Asare has given indication that he would want to speak to certain important matters in camera. Most of my questions would have elicited from him answers he has already indicated he would want to respond to in camera. So, I would oblige him that. But just to seek clarification on few issues and then I yield to you Chairman
Atta Akyea: Okay.
James Agalga: Supt Asare
Supt Asare: Mr Chair.
James Agalga: Let me take you straight page 22, where you spoke Twi and described someone as Area Mama. “Sɛ wo nim Area Mama” There is a coded name
Counsel: Mr. Chair the page again?
James Agalga: Page 23, it is of exhibit 21. The first paragraph. You described someone as Area Mama. ” Sɛ wo nim Area Mama” I mean Area Mama is a coded name. Who is Area Mama?
Supt Asare: That is the name we all know
James Agalga: You don’t know the real name of Area Mama
Supt Asare: Not at all Honourable Chair.
James Agalga: But where does she work?
Supt Asare: To be honest where she works, I cannot tell but what I know is she lives in Weija area and she is an Assembly woman whatever.
James Agalga: Now you made a very emphatic statement in one of your answers to either Peter or…Hon Peter or Eric that before you signed off you say something before this Committee, what is that?
Supt Asare: The entire proceedings has come to an end. Both in camera and public hearings.
James Agalga: So, you intend that the sign of here should happen in camera?
Supt Asare: No…no
James Agalga: The statement you made when you are signing off?
Supt Asare: Signing off
James Agalga: Yes
Supt Asare: That when we are done. When the whole proceedings have come to an end.
James Agalga: What proceedings
Supt Asare: I’m talking about my appearance before you.
Atta Akyea: You mean today?
Supt. Asare: No today and in camera.
Atta Akyea: Ah okay. Hmm.
James Agalga: Supt Asare you earlier stated that you were not going to…in fact you expressed regrets for making the statement to the effect that Bediatuo does not tell the President what is going on. You expressed regrets for that. Now let me take you to page 23, where the same Bediatuo featured in a comment you made. “Bediatuo and the man are like this. Dampare” When you say Bediatuo and the man are like this, Dampare, you want explain what that means? Page 23
Supt Asare: Hon chair, if you could remember, I want to cast your mind back that the tape itself is not correct because what is written here it does even make sense to me.
Atta Akyea: Senior, don’t say that the tape itself is not correct
Supt. Asare: Sorry, for want of a better word
Atta Akyea: Part of the tape from your perspective is not correct. You get the point because you said, there have been edited and you have also admitted your voice. Yeah
Supt Asare: You are right honourable chair.
James Agalga: But…
Supt Asare: But in my answer to deputy chair’s question, the statement is even incomplete. The statement is incomplete. So, it will be different for me to make meaning out of it. You know in a conversation so many things happen. You can even make a statement; something will come in and you will even forget what intended to say. So sorry for that I can’t tell exactly what I meant to say per what is contained here.
James Agalga: But Supt Asare, you keep saying that ee…em the tape was doctored. Would you be kind enough to indicate which part of the tape you believe doctored for the purposes of the committee. Because you know one of our tasks is to authenticate the audio so if there are aspects that you believe are doctored you need to point out so that we take note.
Atta Akyea: Yes, regarding this exercise. Hold on sir, regarding the exercise of pinpointing which aspects of the tape is doctored and which are not you need to go and do it and submit it to us. I know it is going to take us a very long time. So, take your time, you have the benefit of lawyers, and then you mark from your perspective where you think it is not valid and where you think is valid and correct and then when we bring you back which certainly, we are going to bring you back. You will give it to us. So, for now I don’t believe that it is a very good time to go through this laborious exercise and I’m not going adjourn like we did before you to do the comparison. First of all, you have the benefit of the audio and you have the benefit of the verbatim reporting. And we will give you space outside the proceedings to take your time and do it and when we next call you, you will bring it to us. You will tender it. Is that okay with you?
Supt Asare: Hon. Chair ee… I agree that initially I told you the voice in the tape is mine. But there has been some cuts and pieces put together
Atta Akyea: That is what you are going to do.
Supt Asare: But it will be difficult because it is just conservation that we had
Atta Akyea: It won’t be difficult
Supt. Asare: Especially this particular one. It is an incomplete statement.
Atta Akyea: Senior listen to me. Take your time. You see I’m saying that because of challenges of memory we will give you the space take the audio, take the verbatim the reporting, the transcript you have here and then do a juxtaposition. You will know and then mark it for our benefit that all. You have the benefit of two lawyers to help you.
Counsel: Hon. Chair I think at the last date when COP was given the same opportunity, we joined his legal team to do that piece of exercise. I think it is just one area that he complained off and I’m of the view that if he be given opportunity, he would be able to explain that particular portion to the chair so that we don’t waste
James Agalga: You see the last time we did the juxtaposition, I know you asked for permission to join them and when you returned, when we resumed from break it was COP Alex Mensah who gave indication as to which portions of the transcript and the audio did not match. So, it was his markings that this committee took note of and duly admitted the exhibit and labeled same as Exhibit 1. You see. So, my question is do you also, counsel I need your attention here, do you also want to go along with the indication COP Alex Mensah gave this committee with regards to the portions he marked as not matching well with the audio?
Counsel: What the witness is saying is that there is just one portion of the transcript that he has issues with and that is what he intends to draw the committee’s attention to.
Atta Akyea: But do you identify with the distinctions that were made by the Commissioner of Police Mensah. You said when it was not your turn, you took advantage of the winnowing if you like and you were part of it together with the lawyers. So would you want to identify with Exhibit 1, which COP Mensah was so clear in his mind that he has validated some and some he doesn’t agree. Do you want to do that and then comment on that small bit of Exhibit one is that what you want to do?
Counsel: Most of the areas COP identified were times that he was not present during the meeting so he won’t be able to talk about those areas.
Atta Akyea: So, you won’t be able to identify with what COP raised?
Counsel: That is so.
Atta Akyea: But in respect of Exhibit 1, there is an area which you want to comment upon. How long are you going to comment?
Counsel: Hon. Chair I think it is going to be very briefly.
Atta Akyea: Alright so let listen to you. Show as what page do you have in mind?
Counsel: I believe page 24. After the first one is hmm then Alhaji says he will come back before June. Yes, accord to the witness the meeting the meeting was held on the 19th of June and for Alhaji to indicate here that someone was coming back before June it presupposes that this area meant that the meeting was held before June. This position as captured in the transcript suggests that it was in relation to a different meeting apart from the one he confirms he had with Alhaji and COP Mensah.
James Agalga: Yes, so you earlier stated that you were once commander, district commander of East Legon at the time the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election was conducted. Now after serving as Commander of that particular district where were you posted to?
Supt Asare: Hon chair from East Legon I was posted to Achimota Mile 7 District.
James Agalga: As Commander?
Supt Asare: That is correct honourable chair.
James Agalga: How long you spend at Mile 7 as a commander?
Supt Asare: Hon chair it will be difficult to give the correct date or period.
James Agalga: One years, two years?
Supt Asare: Roughly one year. Let me put it that way
James Agalga: Right. So, was it from Mile 7, you now proceeded to the Headquarters?
Supt Asare: That is correct hon. Chair.
James Agalga: You are with the protocol outfit at the Headquarters is that correct?
Supt Asare: That is correct hon. Chair
James Agalga: Do you have problems with that?
Supt Asare: Honourable no, far from that. I don’t have problem. I don’t have authority over transfers
James Agalga: So, you are happy as a protocol officer with the police service?
Supt Asare: Happy as in terms of what?
James Agalga: Your job
Supt Asare: Hon chair, that is correct. I’m happy, I’m working so. Some people don’t have job. I’m working they have sent me to a place, why not? I’m happy.
James Agalga: Chairman I will yield. Thank you
Atta Akyea: …the full implications of perjury?
Supt Asare: That is correct hon chair.
Atta Akyea: Very good. Now, let me find out from you did you ever the Nation Investigation Bureau in relation to this same matter?
Supt Asare: Hon. Chair that is correct
Atta Akyea: hmm…
Supt Asare: Can I continue honourable chair?
Atta Akyea: You can
Supt Asare: Yes, after the leakage of I call it the so-called leaked tape I was invited by the National Investigation Bureau and I went. So, when I want there, they interrogated me as regard who did the recording, number 1. Number 2 who leaked it and I told them my side of the story that I don’t know anything about it. And there an ASP at the Police Headquarters at the P… unit by name ASP Kenneth Asante Antwi, the BNI officers asked me what is the relationship between the two of us? And I told him I don’t even know him. I am hearing the name for the first time. It was later that I saw the guy and I said oh was this not this guy that was in Accra region audit room? I don’t know him. I don’t know him but em Commissioner got there; I went there. But per what I gathered from there, after the leakage Bugri Naabu Special Assistant by name SK was picked up that morning by NIB officers and then the secretary was also picked and eventually Bugri Naabu was also invited to the place. These people per my reliable information apart from Alhaji Bugri Naabu who went there and lied as usual. Oh, he has lied on several occasions, I have Alhaji Bugri Naabu on tape everything he came to say here on video in his office the same office his relationship with IGP and contracts – 40,000 boot contracts.
Atta Akyea: My brother you were very good that you will speak in camera. Have you forgotten yourself?
Supt Asare: Hon. Chair I’m sorry
Atta Akyea: Alright, on this note, I think it is very opportune that a lot of things will happen in-camera, and in good time we will call you and all those who matter to do the business in camera. And if I have the permission of members, I want to release the witness, and then we will have an in-house meeting. And then later on we inform the general public and the press our next adjourn date.
