A series of fresh recordings has emerged on social media, intensifying the controversy surrounding the alleged plot to remove the current Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

These new recordings, consisting of video footage, feature the former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bugri Naabu, engaging in conversations with unidentified individuals, discussing various schemes.

In one of the videos, Bugri Naabu is seen in his office, where an individual accuses him of involvement in a contract kickback scheme. The individual asserts that the contract was initially awarded to Ben Kofi, who subsequently subcontracted it to Bugri Naabu.

This individual also mentions pressure from higher-ranking officials, including the vice president's office, and urges Bugri Naabu to provide the promised funds for the project.

“The contract was given to Ben Kofi and Ben Kofi gave the contract to him. So it is not that me and him we know about IGP giving him the contract. That contract didn’t come, look at what they are telling me now.

"This particular contract, the job was given to Ben Kofi and Ben Kofi also intend subletting it to him… so tell me, are you halting any money for me to give to the boys or what?

"Because you said you got some calls from even vice president’s office people called you. Me I don’t know how they got your number but I called your sister and your sister told me the contract was ready, they are now going to do production.

“Now, I went to IG (Inspector General), IG too says the contract is completed. If you don’t want trouble, bring the money for me to give to the boys. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee you, the problem can come.

"So he told me that, today is Monday, he said today he is going to meet Ben Kofi, the person the contract was awarded to, they will discuss it and see if they can get some money,” Bugri Naabu is heard stating in one of the videos in a setting that looks like his office said to be located at Osu.

While the exact context of this video remains unclear, it is noteworthy that one of the three senior police officers implicated in the alleged plot to remove Dr. Dampare during their appearance before a parliamentary committee mentioned a business relationship between the IGP and Bugri Naabu.

Superintendent George Asare alleged that the IGP had benefited from contracts with the police service, implying a connection between their relationship and the leaked recording of their private conversation.

“He has lied on several occasions. I have Alhaji Bugri Naabu on tape, everything he came to say here, on video in his office. His relationship with IGP and contracts, 40,000 boots contract…” he spilled before being stopped in his tracks by the chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta-Akyea.

Bugri Naabu, in his testimony before the parliamentary committee, acknowledged having lobbied for Dr. Dampare to be appointed as IGP.

Bugri Naabu on police payroll

In another set of new videos, Bugri Naabu is heard admitting to being on the payroll of the Ghana Police Service, countering an accusation that he was receiving payments from Dr. Akuffo Dampare.

During the exchange, an unidentified individual alleged that Bugri Naabu was being paid GHC10,000 by Dr. Dampare. In response, Bugri Naabu refuted this claim and clarified that he received the monthly payment of GHC10,000 from the police service, not from Dr. Dampare personally. He explained that the payment was in recognition of his role as a paramount chief, serving as an informant for security matters and reporting issues to the police.

Despite Bugri Naabu's explanation, his accuser maintained that the payment originated from the IGP and not the police service. The disagreement escalated, with Bugri Naabu daring his accuser to take any action he deemed necessary.

“Don’t tell me that he pays me GHC10,000; he doesn’t pay me, it’s the police… I don’t know, I receive GHC10,000 from the police and they tell me the security work I do as a paramount chief… when there is a problem I report to them,” he responded.

Background:In recent developments, a leaked tape revealed several senior police officers seeking the support of Bugri Naabu to remove the current Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from office. These officers, who identified themselves as supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party, expressed concerns that Dr. Dampare's tenure as IGP posed a threat to the party's chances of winning the 2024 election.

Bugri Naabu subsequently admitted before a parliamentary committee investigating the leaked tape that he had recorded his conversations with the police officers as evidence of the alleged plot, with the intention of presenting it to President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo.

However, one of the officers involved in the recorded conversations, Commissioner of Police (COP) George Alex Mensah, claimed that the recording was initiated by Dr. Dampare himself, who later leaked their discussions with Bugri Naabu.

In response to these developments, the Ghana Police Service, on September 9, 2023, announced the interdiction of all the police officers implicated in the leaked tape.