An Accra court has ruled that the Ghana Police Service violated the rights of journalists and protesters during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration held in September 2023, awarding damages and ordering an apology.
The Human Rights Division of the High Court on Thursday ruled in favour of journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants in a case against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General.
The case, Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General, was presided over by Justice Nana Brew.
The court found that police officers engaged in unconstitutional conduct during the protest, stating that law enforcement personnel who were deployed to maintain order instead subjected demonstrators to abuse and unlawful treatment.
According to the ruling, Bridget Otoo was assaulted during the protest, with officers allegedly tearing her blouse. Another applicant, Vanessa Edotom Boateng, was unlawfully detained and had her phone seized to prevent her from recording alleged acts of brutality.
The third applicant, George Gyening Anyang, was reportedly beaten while livestreaming events at a police station. The court said he was assaulted with “slaps, punches, a metallic belt, and a baton”.
Justice Brew described the conduct of the officers as unconstitutional and a violation of the fundamental human rights of the applicants.
The court awarded GH¢100,000 in compensatory damages, GH¢50,000 in general damages, and GH¢30,000 in legal costs to the applicants.
It also ordered the police to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.
Lawyer for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had sought higher costs, citing the length of the proceedings, but the court declined, warning against penalties that could “cripple” the police service.
The judge further referenced earlier cases involving police conduct, including the Solomon Joojo Cobinah case, and urged improvements in the protection of journalists, activists and the public under current police leadership.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in September 2023 drew national attention after demonstrators took to the streets over economic hardship, governance concerns and corruption allegations, with several reports of arrests, assaults and intimidation.
Source: myjoyonline
