By Issah Olegor
The Ghana Police Service has been thrust into the spotlight once again, following a controversial incident involving four police officers who allegedly harassed a Circuit Court Judge in December 2024, during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare.
The four officers — Inspector Godwin Dey, Inspector Francis Adjei, Sergeant Daasebre Oti Boateng, and General Corporal Jonah Ajubulisa— now find themselves in trouble after reportedly attempting to arrest Angela Attachie, a Circuit Court judge at the Adenta Court Complex, for an alleged traffic violation.
Background
According to sources, the incident occurred in December 2024 during a routine road check in the Adentan Municipality.
The officers, members of the “Dampare Special Forces,” claimed that Judge Attachie had flouted road traffic regulations by switching lanes prematurely to avoid heavy traffic on a newly constructed road near Rowi Junction.
Accounts from the police officers suggested that when they attempted to stop her, she refused, driving a short distance before allegedly abandoning her vehicle and leaving with another car.
When the officers later sought to press charges, the Adenta Police Commander reportedly intervened and dropped the case, citing her judicial position.
However, the matter refused to die quietly. In recent weeks, following a petition filed by Judge Attachie to Police Headquarters, the four officers were summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, where they were allegedly detained — a move that has sparked widespread debate about abuse of authority and accountability.
However, the police administration had denied detaining the offending officers.
Judge Attachie’s Narration
In a media briefing on April 22, 2025, Judge Attachie was said to have broken her silence, firmly refuting claims that she had violated any traffic regulations or that she had used her influence to punish the officers unfairly.
Detailing the events of that morning, she said, “I switched lanes approximately 100 metres before Rowi Junction because the traffic was too heavy. Upon reaching a police checkpoint, I was signalled to stop and told I was under arrest. I explained my position, pointing out that the court building was just ahead.”
She further alleged that despite her explanations, the officers aggressively pursued her, blocked her court entrance with car tyres and cement blocks, and engaged in harassment.
In a more serious accusation, Judge Attachie revealed that her court clerk, who attempted to photograph the scene for documentation purposes, was assaulted and unlawfully detained for several hours at the Adentan Police Station.
According to the judge, her official vehicle was towed and only released later after the intervention of a senior police officer.
She stressed that her complaint to the Police Headquarters was not an act of vengeance but a bid for justice and to highlight misconduct.
“It must be made clear that I have no intention of disrupting the work of these officers,” she emphasized.
“I only sought redress and wish to clarify that I did not violate any traffic regulations, contrary to some media reports.”
The detention of the officers has raised eyebrows both within and outside the Police Service.
According to insiders, the officers believe they are being punished for merely performing their duty of enforcing road laws.
They argue that their arrest and continued detention are politically motivated and a signal that certain individuals remain “untouchable” in Ghana’s system.
Sources indicate that the order to detain the officers came directly from the new IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, adding a fresh political dimension to the controversy.
It has led to murmurs of discontent within the police ranks, particularly among those who served under the special operations units established by former IGP Dampare.
Clarification
Meanwhile, in a recent statement from the Police Administration, it stated that the officers were called to write their statements and weren’t interdicted as being circulated.
A statement from the CID refuted viral media reports claiming police officers were detained for allegedly arresting a judge over a traffic offence.
“The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has sighted some media reports falsely claiming that some Police officers were detained for arresting a judge for a traffic offence.
“We wish to categorically state that the claim is not just false but is baseless and without merit,” the CID said.
