CLEMENT OWUSU-BOATENG AND GHANA POLICE SERVICE [2012]DLCHRAJ5990

Date	2012-08-14
Suit No.	CHRAJ/85/2008/1581
Citation No.	[2012]DLCHRAJ5990

JOSEPH WHITTAL

[2012]DLCHRAJ5990
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#00B050">CLEMENT OWUSU-BOATENG<o:p></o:p>(COMPLAINANT)<o:p></o:p>AND<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
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color:#00B050">GHANA POLICE SERVICE<o:p></o:p>(RESPONDENT)<o:p></o:p>(CHRAJ)<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:
none;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in;
mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 1.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">CHRAJ/85/2008/1581&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;14-08-2012<o:p></o:p>

</div>COMMISSIONER:<o:p></o:p>JOSEPH WHITTAL DIRECTOR (LEGAL
&amp; INVESTIGATIONS) FOR: COMMISSIONER<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;text-align:center;
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padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:31.0pt 31.0pt 1.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">DECISION<o:p></o:p>

</div>In a petition dated 28th
January 2008 the petitioner claimed he had been wrongful dismissed from the
Ghana Police Service. He therefore claimed amongst others, the reliefs of reinstatement
to the rank of Sergeant; payment of arrears of salary and compensation/damages.<o:p></o:p>FACTS<o:p></o:p>The complainant, until his dismissal from the Ghana Police
Service, was a Constable stationed at Bolgatanga. On 24th August 2001 the
complainant was | arraigned before the Bolgatanga Circuit Court on a charge of
forgery of documents and uttering forged documents contrary to sections 89 and
159 respectively of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). He was acquitted
and discharged by the court.<o:p></o:p><a name="_gjdgxs"></a>Subsequently on
14th March 2002 the petitioner received from the respondent notice of formal
Police Service Enquiry proceedings against him based on two (2) counts of
Misconduct contrary to Section 17(K) of the Police Service Act, 1970
(Act 350). The particulars of offence for the first count was that the
Complainant forged a West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C.) results slip
for upgrading in the Police Service a conduct which is prejudicial to the
efficient conduct and discipline of the Service. Particulars of offence for the
second count was that the Complainant altered a W.A.E.C Examination results
slip for upgrading in the Police Service a conduct which is also prejudicial to
the efficient conduct and discipline of the service<o:p></o:p>The notice informed the
Complainant to submit a written statement in explanation or exculpation of the
charges. In response the Complainant in an undated statement to the Deputy
Supt. of Police/Pay/UE Regional Headquarters of the Police Service informed the
Respondent that he has been tried, acquitted and discharged by the Circuit
Court, Bolgatanga over the charges of forgery of documents and uttering forged
documents. He further claimed that in view of his trial and acquittal
"there is nothing for me to do than to urge you to enter the Special plea
of Autrefois Acquit for me". Notwithstanding the Complainant's position
the Service Enguiry commenced under Regulation 4(3) (c) of the Police Service
(Disciplinary Proceedings) Regulations 1974 (L.I. 993). The Complainant
appeared before the Service Enquiry in May 2002 which was conducted by DSP F.E.
Duku. The Complainant was found guilty by the service enquiry on the charge of
Misconduct contrary to Section 17(k) of the Act 350 and convicted accordingly.
Subsequently on 28th July 2003 upon a review of the service enquiry by the
Central Disciplinary Board of the Police Service, the Complainant was dismissed
from the Police Service.<o:p></o:p>Aggrieved with the entire
decision of the service enquiry and the Board the Complainant in accordance
with his right of appeal under L.1.993 and per a Notice of Appeal dated 2nd
September 2003 lodged an appeal to the Inspector-General of Police. However the
IGP or the Police Administration refused or failed to respond to the appeal
hence the complainant's petition to l the CHRAJ (Commission) for redress for
unfair treatment and wrongful dismissal.<o:p></o:p>INVESTIGATION<o:p></o:p>In the course of the
Commission's investigations into this matter the following observations were
made:<o:p></o:p>• The Complainant per a letter dated 2nd September 2003 and
addressed to the Inspector General of Police had appealed against the decision
of the Police Central Disciplinary Board;<o:p></o:p>• By another letter dated 9th September 2003 and addressed to the
Chairman of the Police Council the Complainant appealed against the decision of
the Police Central Disciplinary Board and;<o:p></o:p>• At all times material the Complainant had not received any
response to the aforestated appeal.<o:p></o:p>