Chief Superintendent (COP) Alex Mensah, Superintendent (Supt.) George Asare and Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi have all been arrested by the Police Service.

The move follows the distribution of a purportedly leaked audio tape featuring conversations concerning the ouster of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

The leaked tape, which has been widely shared on social media and other platforms, allegedly contains conversations between three senior police officers discussing plans and strategies for the potential removal of the current IGP with Bugri Naabu, the former Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP.

According to a police memo issued on Thursday, “the Police Service has interdicted Commissioner Mr George Alex Mensah, Superintendent Mr Emmanuel Eric Gyebi, and Superintendent Mr George Lysander Asare in connection with the audio tape that has become the subject of a parliamentary investigation.”

“The interdiction is to make way for disciplinary proceedings into their conduct in line with Police Service regulations.”

COP Mensah accused the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, of mismanaging the Police Service during his appearance before the legislative committee.

He asserted that the IGP’s leadership had resulted in a drop in police personnel morale.

COP Mensah also acknowledged to being active in politics and working for a political party, though he did not specify which one.

His remarks echo similar sentiments mentioned in the leaked audio, in which he can be heard declaring that the IGP must be eliminated in order for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to win the 2024 elections.

COP Mensah, on the other hand, strenuously denied the tape’s validity, stating that it had been doctored and did not adequately depict the actual discussion with Daniel Bugri Naabu.

Supt Asare also stated that sections of the tape had been doctored and accused the IGP of planning the audio recording when he spoke before the committee.

However, the inquiry into the leaked audio took a new turn on Monday when a new tape surfaced.

This was revealed after COP George Mensah and Supt. George Asare testified that sections of the original audio in evidence had been doctored.

After Monday’s hearings, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee investigating the event, Samuel Atta Akyea, revealed this information to the media.

He indicated that based on the facts given, the committee will determine whether or not to convene an in-camera session.

The Chairman went on to say that the committee would listen to the recording and study the transcript to figure out what to do next.

He also stated that they may summon all stakeholders and their attorneys to a hearing for cross-examination and cross-firing.

However, the committee will be wary of the consequences for national security and may arrange an in-camera hearing for sensitive issues.

“We have the benefit of a tape, on the assumption that it’s authentic. Members of the committee will have to listen to the tape and read the transcript, which will give us ideas on what to do next. First of all, do we bring all the stakeholders together with their lawyers for cross-examination and cross-firing to take place while listening attentively? And then, after they have finished, will we have our turn?”

“And then, are there matters which should not come into the public domain because of national security implications? So we will hold a long in-house or in-camera hearing, and then we will make some sense of it. This is how we are going to proceed. We will be guided strongly by the fact that this is not a simple exercise and that not everything should be fed to the public.”

The meeting has been adjourned indefinitely as the committee considers the next steps. The discovery of a new recording has added an intriguing twist to the inquiry.

The public is waiting with bated breath for the verdict since there are national security issues to consider.