The Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra has ruled that the Ghana Police Service violated the fundamental human rights of journalists and protesters during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration in September 2023.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, May 14, His Lordship Justice Nana Brew found in favour of journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants in the case Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. The Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General.
The court condemned the conduct of police officers, stating that instead of protecting demonstrators, they subjected them to physical abuse, unlawful detention, and interference with their professional duties.
According to the ruling, Bridget Otoo was assaulted by police officers who allegedly tore her blouse during the protest.
Co-applicant Vanessa Edotom Boateng was unlawfully detained, and her mobile phone was seized to prevent her from recording incidents of alleged brutality.
The third applicant, George Gyening Anyang, was beaten while livestreaming events at a regional police station. The court heard he was assaulted with slaps, punches, a metallic belt, and a baton.
Justice Brew described the actions of the police as “unconstitutional” and an abuse of authority.
The court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants and awarded damages against the police. The applicants are to receive a total of GH¢180,000, comprising GH¢100,000 in compensatory damages, GH¢50,000 in general damages, and GH¢30,000 in legal costs.
The court also ordered the Ghana Police Service to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.
Lawyer for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had prayed for higher legal costs considering the case spanned nearly two years. However, Justice Brew declined the request, noting that excessive financial penalties could cripple the police service and affect its operations.
The judge referenced previous cases, including that of Solomon Joojo Cobinah, while expressing hope that the new leadership of the Ghana Police Service under the current Inspector General of Police would take steps to better protect the rights of journalists, activists, and citizens.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in September 2023 drew widespread attention as demonstrators took to the streets to voice concerns over economic hardship, governance issues, and corruption. Several participants, including journalists, reported arrests, assaults, and intimidation by security personnel during the demonstration.