Six operatives of the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) have been dismissed and one demoted following an internal investigation that exposed a network of compromised staff allegedly supplying mobile phones and other prohibited items to suspects in the agency’s custody, sources have confirmed.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a security breach on February 16, 2026, when an officer conducting routine inspections at one of the agency’s detention facilities caught a suspect making a phone call, according to a report by 3News .
How the Scandal Unfolded
The discovery triggered an immediate internal investigation. Subsequent searches of two holding facilities uncovered at least six mobile phones, phone accessories, and a screwdriver, which investigators described as a potentially dangerous weapon .
The breakthrough came when investigators found a telephone number written on the back of a playing card used by suspects for recreation. Checks revealed the number belonged to a BNI officer, raising suspicions of collaboration between agency personnel and detainees .
Further inquiries allegedly exposed an organised arrangement in which compromised officers supplied mobile phones and other unauthorised services to suspects in exchange for money. Investigators also established that some suspects, with the help of staff, arranged for relatives to deliver restaurant meals outside the bureau’s approved procedures—with mobile phones and accessories concealed in the food packages .
Disciplinary Outcomes
Eight operatives were subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings. At the conclusion of the process, six were dismissed, one was demoted, and another was cleared of wrongdoing .
The BNI has not publicly confirmed the account, and no official statement had been issued as of October 23, 2026 . The dismissed officers have not been publicly named or charged with any criminal offence.
Tighter Internal Controls
Sources indicate the agency has since introduced stricter internal security measures to prevent similar breaches. These reportedly include polygraph examinations for personnel, tighter supervision, and additional disciplinary controls aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring compliance with established regulations .
The scandal raises troubling questions about custody procedures at Ghana’s premier domestic intelligence agency. Mobile phones in detention cells pose significant risks, allowing suspects to communicate with accomplices, coordinate stories, or intimidate witnesses while investigations remain active .
Background: The BNI’s Mandate
The Bureau of National Investigations is Ghana’s principal domestic civilian intelligence agency, established as a dedicated body separate from the police and military following the security sector reforms that accompanied Ghana’s return to constitutional rule in 1992 . Its mandate covers organised crime, financial crimes, espionage, sabotage, terrorism, and related threats to national security.
The agency was renamed the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in 2020 as part of a broader restructuring of Ghana’s security apparatus . However, the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2025, passed by Parliament, reverted the agency to its former name, the Bureau of National Investigations .
The BNI operates under the National Security Council and maintains regional offices across all sixteen regions of Ghana .
