The High Court of Justice (Human Rights Division 2, Accra) has ruled in favour of Bridget Otoo and two others in a human rights suit against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General over police brutality during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration in September 2023.
Presided over by His Lordship Justice Nana Brew, the court held that officers of the Ghana Police Service violated the fundamental rights of journalists and activists during the protest.
The judge described the conduct of the police as unconstitutional, stating that the affected persons were subjected to unlawful treatment while they carried out their lawful duties and civic engagement.
In his findings, Justice Brew noted that Bridget Otoo was assaulted by police officers, with her blouse reportedly torn during the incident.
The court further established that Vanessa Edotom Boateng was unlawfully detained and had her mobile phone seized in an attempt to prevent her from recording alleged acts of brutality. It also found that George Gyening Anyang was beaten with slaps, punches, a metallic belt, and a baton while he livestreamed events at a regional police station.
The court concluded that the actions of the officers amounted to a breach of the applicants’ constitutional rights, including protection from inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as unlawful interference with their liberty and expression.
On reliefs, the court awarded compensatory damages of GHC 100,000 and general damages of GHC 50,000 to the applicants, in addition to GHC 30,000 in legal costs.
The Ghana Police Service has also been ordered to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.
Counsel for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had argued for higher costs, citing the prolonged nature of the trial which spanned two years. However, the court declined the request, noting that excessively high monetary awards could potentially affect the operational efficiency of the Police Service.
Justice Brew referenced earlier human rights decisions, including Solomon Joojo Cobinah & Others, in cautioning against future abuses by security agencies.
He expressed hope that under the current Inspector General of Police, the service would strengthen its commitment to protecting the rights of journalists, activists and the general public, rather than infringing upon them.
