IGP, 6 Others Escape Jail as Court Clears Them Off Contempt

An Accra High Court High yesterday cleared David Asante Appeatu, the Inspector General of Police and six others of the charge of contempt.

The Court presided over by Justice Kwaku T. Ackaah-Boafo also rescued Ambassador Rasheed Seidu Inusah, the Director-General of the Beaurau of National Investigation (BNI), Chief of Defence Staff Lt. General Obed Akwa and 4 others from serving sometime in prison.

Lawyers for the Osu Traditional Council had urged the court to hand the seven persons prison terms for disobeying the orders of a High Court asking that they stay away from a 172-acre land which was a subject of dispute, between the traditional council and the Achimota School.

While lawyers of the top security officials had denied knowledge of the order, the legal team for the Old Achimotans Association had also argued they were not ordered by any court to stay away from the land.

Justice Ackaah-Boafo however, in a ruling held that the top officials could not be guilty of contempt since they were not served the order of the court.

For the President of the Old Achimotans Association Prof Ernest Aryeetey and the Headmistress of the School, the court held that it lacks jurisdiction since the supposed order served on them was from the Court of Appeal.

A cost of GH₵3,000 was awarded in favour of the Association and Headmistress of the School.

By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson