The High Court of Justice (Human Rights Division 2, Accra) has awarded damages totalling GHC180,000 to former Metro TV journalist Bridget Otoo and two others after ruling that the Ghana Police Service violated their fundamental human rights during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in September 2023.
Delivering judgment in Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. The Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General, His Lordship Justice Nana Brew held that the conduct of police officers during the protest was unconstitutional and amounted to unlawful interference, assault and abuse.
The court awarded compensatory damages of GHC100,000 and general damages of GHC50,000 to the applicants, in addition to GHC30,000 in legal costs.
The Ghana Police Service was also ordered to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.
The ruling followed claims by the applicants that they suffered assaults and unlawful treatment at the hands of police officers during the demonstration.
The court found that Bridget Otoo was assaulted during the protest, with her blouse ripped apart by officers. Metro TV journalist Vanessa Edotom Boateng was also found to have been unlawfully detained, while her phone was seized to prevent her from recording alleged police brutality. George Gyening Anyang, according to the judgment, was beaten with slaps, punches, a metallic belt and baton while livestreaming events at a regional police station.
Counsel for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had pushed for higher costs, arguing that the matter had taken nearly two years to conclude.
However, Justice Brew declined the request, stating that excessively high monetary awards could “cripple” the effective functioning of the Police Service.
The court further referenced previous human rights cases, including Solomon Joojo Cobinah & Others, as it cautioned against future abuses by law enforcement officers.
Justice Brew also expressed hope that under the current Inspector General of Police, the Ghana Police Service would prioritise the protection of citizens’ rights, especially those of journalists and protesters engaged in lawful civic activity.
