Application to stop IGP’s removal, other security heads moot —SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that an injunction seeking to restrain President John Mahama from removing immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and other Heads of Security agencies cannot be allowed.

In a ruling today March 25, 2025, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court presided over by His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe Bonney, said the pendency of the application for an interlocutory injunction does not stop the President from performing his public and administrative function.

Filed by Imani Ghana and security expert Prof Kwesi Aning, the application sought to prevent the President from going ahead to replace the security service heads until the final determination of a case in which the applicants are seeking the Supreme Court’s interpretation on the constitutional provision.

They argued that the security heads would be unfairly treated if they were removed before the Supreme Court delivers its ruling on the substantive case

Substantive case
The substantive case, which was filed last year is seeking a clarification on the President’s authority to terminate the appointment or removal from office heads of the agencies unless only upon proven stated misconduct or misbehaviour established against these office holders.

The offices are the office of the Chief Fire Officer of the Fire Service; Inspector General of Police; Director General of Prisons Service, and Comptroller General of Immigration Service.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has fixed May 7, 2025, this year to give judgement on the substantive case.