Yaa Simpson pleads with Supreme Court: Remove Kofi Boakye from Police Council

Henrietta Nana Yaa Simpson, a Ghanaian businesswoman and prominent gender activist, has filed a suit at the Supreme Court, seeking the removal of retired Commissioner of Police (C.O.P) Nathan Kofi Boakye, from the Police Council.

Through her lawyer, Alexander K.K. Abban, Esq., Nana Yaa Simpson is challenging the legality of Mr. Kofi Boakye’s inclusion on the Council, arguing that it contravenes constitutional provisions and undermines legitimate gender representation efforts.

The suit, which also names the Police Council and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice as the 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively, centres on the process by which the representative of the National Association of Retired Police Officers is nominated to serve on the Council.

Madam Simpson, known for her advocacy on gender equality in security services, brings the case as a citizen under Articles 2(1) and 130(1) of the 1992 Constitution, claiming constitutional violations in the appointment process.

She argues that ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur, a female retired officer and former presidential candidate of the National Association of Retired Police Officers was the rightful nominee, but was unfairly sidelined.

According to the plaintiff, Mr. Kofi Boakye’s appointment was a unilateral act by the President of the Republic and not a decision made by the Association, as required by Article 201 clause (f) of the Constitution and section 10(f) of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350).

Betrayal of Biblical Proportion

In a particularly scathing section of the court filing, Nana Yaa Simpson accuses Mr. Kofi Boakye of “betrayal of biblical proportions,” likening his actions to those of Judas Iscariot.

She alleges that when ACP (Rtd.) Arthur became aware of efforts to block her from the Council, she confided in Mr Kofi Boakye, who offered assurances of support, only to later take up the seat himself.

Legal Reliefs Sought:

Among the nine declarations and reliefs sought from the Supreme Court, Nana Yaa Simpson is asking for:

A declaration that ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur qualifies as a senior police officer under the law;

A declaration that only the National Association of Retired Police Officers, through its executives, has the authority to nominate a representative to the Police Council;

A finding that the President’s appointment of Mr. Nathan Kofi Boakye violates Article 201 and is, therefore, unconstitutional, null and void.

An order for Mr. Kofi Boakye’s removal from the Council and his replacement with ACP (Rtd.) Florence Arthur;

A declaration that the exclusion of Arthur on the basis of her rank and gender is discriminatory under Article 17 of the Constitution.

Constitutional Clarifications Sought

Henrietta Nana Yaa Simpson’s legal team is also asking the Court to provide interpretive clarity on the term “senior police officer,” urging that it be defined to include any officer of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), thereby qualifying Arthur.

 

The post Yaa Simpson pleads with Supreme Court: Remove Kofi Boakye from Police Council appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story