The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Raymond Wejong Ali Adofiem, has been transferred from his post to the national police headquarters in Accra, reliable sources within the Ghana Police Service have confirmed.
The directive, issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, comes with a startling instruction—DCOP Adofiem is not to wear the police uniform until further notice. His new role at the headquarters remains undisclosed.
In his place, ACP John Ferguson Dzineku, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, has been appointed to take charge of the Upper East Region.
The shake-up follows mounting public pressure and a series of high-profile controversies that have rocked the region and put the outgoing commander under intense scrutiny.
‘Commando’ Walks Free After Gunfire Incident
One of the most glaring controversies is the failure of the regional police command under Adofiem to prosecute Paazie Naab, alias Commando, a known Talensi gold miner, who was captured on video in 2022 firing 11 gunshots from a pistol in public.
Despite residents’ outrage and formal complaints, Commando escaped prosecution and instead donated two motorbikes to the police. His connections, including ties to newly-appointed Talensi DCE John Nabwomya Millim, have raised suspicions of preferential treatment.
Court records reveal Commando has a prior criminal trial for theft and conspiracy involving over GH¢300,000 worth of stolen items. His nephew, Naab Ibrahim Awudu, alias Gold Baron, was also recently convicted for plotting an attack against the same man he once stole from—Zongdan Boyak Kolog, better known as Polo.
Polo’s Ordeal: Police Accused of Setup, Assault and Planting Evidence
Polo, a businessman and licensed gold concession owner in Talensi, is at the center of the most explosive allegations. On June 4, 2025, Polo and eight staff members were arrested, allegedly assaulted, and charged with unlawful possession of firearms and explosives.
Community members and Polo’s lawyers claim the charges are fabricated, asserting that police planted an AK-47 rifle on Polo’s property in a scheme to criminalize him. His supporters argue this was done to forcefully take over his concession for a Chinese mining company—Earl International Group (Ghana) Gold Ltd, formerly Shaanxi Mining.
Despite securing a court injunction in 2023 allowing him to work on his site, Polo was blocked from doing so by police, prompting him to petition the IGP on February 17, 2025. Instead of resolving the matter, the police allegedly lured him into a trap, leading to his arrest.
Kulendi Chambers Petition Fuels Transfer
A detailed petition filed on June 5, 2025, by Kulendi @ Law Maalo Chambers, a respected law firm in Accra, appears to have added weight to the calls for Adofiem’s removal.
The lawyers accused the commander of bad faith, abuse of power, and collusion with illegal miners. They claim Adofiem’s actions were not only unlawful but malicious—deliberately aiding trespassers while targeting Polo, who had been operating under court protection.
The petition demanded a forensic investigation into the AK-47 allegedly found at Polo’s site, including a search using its serial number to determine its true origin.
Mounting Pressure and Public Outcry
Residents of Talensi have held press conferences, condemning Adofiem and pleading with the IGP to intervene. Their accusations paint a troubling picture of a police command perceived as corrupt, biased, and working against the interests of justice.
“It is shameful that the police planted an AK-47 to incriminate Polo,” one resident said. “We strongly believe this was staged. This is why the IGP must act—and fast.”
What Next for Adofiem?
While Adofiem’s removal from the region is seen by many as a welcome relief, civil society groups and legal experts are calling for an independent investigation to determine his role in the allegations that have plagued his tenure.
As ACP Dzineku assumes command, the people of the Upper East Region are watching closely, hoping for reforms, accountability, and the restoration of public trust in the police service.
