Six officers of Ghana’s Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) have reportedly been dismissed, while another has been demoted following an internal disciplinary investigation into the discovery of unauthorised items in detention facilities.
According to a report by 3News, the disciplinary action followed an investigation into how mobile phones and other prohibited items found their way into holding facilities used to detain suspects.
The report indicated that eight officers were investigated in connection with the incident. Six were dismissed, one was demoted and another was cleared of wrongdoing after the disciplinary process.
The investigation reportedly began on February 16, 2026, when an officer conducting routine checks at a BNI detention facility discovered a suspect using a mobile phone.
The discovery prompted further searches at two holding facilities, where investigators reportedly found at least six mobile phones, phone accessories and a screwdriver.
The presence of the items raised concerns about security procedures at the facilities and how detainees had obtained access to devices and other materials that were not supposed to be available to them.
According to sources cited in the report, investigators subsequently examined how the prohibited items entered the detention centres and whether any personnel had assisted detainees in obtaining them.
The inquiry reportedly uncovered a possible arrangement involving staff members who allegedly supplied mobile phones and other unauthorised services to suspects in exchange for money.
Investigators are also said to have traced a telephone number written on the back of a playing card used by detainees to a BNI operative. The discovery reportedly formed part of the inquiries into possible links between personnel and the movement of prohibited items into the facilities.
The investigation further examined the delivery of food to detainees. Sources cited in the report said some suspects received restaurant meals arranged through relatives and staff, with phones and accessories allegedly concealed in food packages.
The findings reportedly raised questions about the effectiveness of screening procedures for items brought into detention facilities and the extent to which internal controls were being followed.
Detention centres operate under security rules designed to prevent unauthorised communication, protect the integrity of investigations and reduce the risk of interference with evidence or witnesses. Mobile phones can present particular challenges because they may allow detainees to communicate with people outside the facility without official supervision.
The reported disciplinary decisions form part of efforts to address concerns about compliance with security procedures and the conduct of personnel entrusted with managing detainees.
The report also indicated that additional internal controls had been introduced, including polygraph testing and other disciplinary measures, as the institution sought to strengthen oversight.
However, the detailed findings against each officer, the specific grounds for the dismissals and the identity of those affected were not fully established in the information available for this report.
The BNI had not been independently confirmed as having issued a public statement detailing the disciplinary outcomes at the time of writing. The reported findings should therefore be understood as information attributed to the media report and its sources.
Source: Thepressradio.com
