The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region who was caught on tape verbally assaulting a police officer who stopped him for a road traffic offence has been suspended.
Abdul Mumin-Issah's suspension was approved by the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.
An official statement announcing his suspension is signed by Local Government Minister, Dan Botwe.
The letter stated that "without prejudice to the matter now before court, government takes a very dim view of the comments made by the Metropolitan Chief Executive during his exchanges with the police."
His suspension is pending an inquiry into his widely condemned encounter with the police officer on Thursday, February 3, 2022, the letter stated.
Thank you, Mr. President, for suspending the MCE of Secondi/Takoradi. He must not return to that office, please.
— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) February 4, 2022
Abdul Mumin-Issah was granted a bail of GHs100,000 by a Circuit Court in Takoradi on Friday after his arrest yesterday.
The Court presided over by Micheal Ampadu in addition to the bail sum said the MCE should produce three sureties.
The case has been adjourned to Thursday, March 17, 2022.
Mr Mumin-Issah, who is President Nana Akufo-Addo's representative in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis and chairman of that area's security council, was arrested on Thursday by the Western Regional Police Command for an alleged motor traffic offence, verbal assault and offensive conduct against a police officer who was performing his lawful duty.
He was subsequently charged on three counts of assault of a public officer, Offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace and disturbing the peace in a public place contrary to Sections 205, 207 and 298 respectively, of the Criminal and Other Offences Act of 1960, Act 29.
The MCE, who was driving a Toyota Land-cruiser with registration number GE 5615-20 is alleged to have driven dangerously and carelessly while approaching a police snap checkpoint close to the Kwesimintsim Cemetery.
The Ghana Police Service has gotten praise from Ghanaians on social media who say the Service under the new IGP, George Akuffo-Dampare, is boldly enforcing the law.