The Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra has ruled that the Ghana Police Service violated the rights of journalists and protesters during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration held in September 2023.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, May 14, the court found the police liable for unlawful conduct, including assault, unlawful detention, intimidation, and interference with journalistic work during the protest that drew national attention over concerns about economic hardship, corruption, and governance.
The case, Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. The Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General, was presided over by His Lordship Justice Nana Brew.
Court condemns police conduct during protest
Delivering the ruling, Justice Brew criticised officers of the Ghana Police Service for what he described as unconstitutional actions against demonstrators they were expected to protect.
According to the court, the conduct of the police amounted to clear violations of the fundamental human rights of the applicants.
Journalist Bridget Otoo told the court she was assaulted during the protest, with officers allegedly tearing her blouse in the process.
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Another applicant, Vanessa Edotom Boateng, was said to have been unlawfully detained while police officers seized her mobile phone to stop her from recording alleged brutality against protesters.
The third applicant, George Gyening Anyang, was reportedly beaten while livestreaming events at a regional police station.
According to the judgment, he was assaulted with “slaps, punches, a metallic belt, and a baton” by police officers.
Justice Brew described the actions of the officers as an abuse of authority and warned against continued violations of citizens’ rights by law enforcement personnel.
GH¢180,000 awarded in damages and legal costs
The court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants and awarded damages against the police.
Under the ruling, the applicants are to receive:
- GH¢100,000 in compensatory damages
- GH¢50,000 in general damages
- GH¢30,000 in legal costs
The court also directed 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 earlier requested higher legal costs to reflect the nearly two years the case spent in court.
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Speaking to JoyNews after the ruling, Anyenini disclosed that his clients had sought a minimum of GH¢1 million in damages.
However, he explained that the court was of the view that placing an excessive financial burden on the police could affect the institution’s ability to function effectively.
The lawyer therefore described the total award of GH¢180,000 as “not punitive enough”.
Despite that, he expressed satisfaction that the court unequivocally declared that the rights of the protesters had been violated.
According to him, the police were expected to provide security for demonstrators exercising their constitutional rights rather than intimidate, assault, or unlawfully detain them.
Justice Brew similarly noted in his ruling that excessive financial penalties could “cripple” the police service and undermine its operational effectiveness.
Reference made to previous police brutality concerns
In delivering the judgment, Justice Brew also referenced previous cases involving allegations of police misconduct, including the Solomon Joojo Cobinah case, as part of broader concerns over abuse of power within law enforcement.
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The judge expressed hope that the current leadership of the Ghana Police Service under the new Inspector General of Police would prioritise the protection of journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens.
Background to the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest became one of Ghana’s most talked-about demonstrations in 2023 after protesters marched against worsening economic conditions, corruption, and governance concerns.
The protest sparked widespread public debate after several demonstrators and journalists reported incidents of arrest, assault, and intimidation by police officers during the exercise.
