Journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants have won a landmark case against the Ghana Police Service over alleged brutality and rights abuses during the #OccupyJulorBiHouse protest in September 2023.
The Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Nana Brew, ruled on Thursday, May 14, that the actions of police officers during the protest violated the constitutional rights of the applicants.
The suit, filed by Bridget Otoo, Vanessa Edotom Boateng and George Gyening Anyang against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General, centred on claims of assault, unlawful detention and intimidation by officers during the demonstration.
According to the court, Bridget Otoo was assaulted by police officers during the protest, resulting in her blouse being torn.
The court also found that Vanessa Edotom Boateng was unlawfully detained and had her mobile phone seized to prevent her from recording alleged acts of police brutality.
George Gyening Anyang, who was livestreaming events at a regional police station, was also subjected to assault. The judgment stated that he was beaten with slaps, punches, a metallic belt and a baton by police officers.
Justice Brew described the conduct of the officers as unconstitutional and condemned what he said was the abuse of authority by law enforcement personnel.
The court awarded the applicants GH¢100,000 in compensatory damages, GH¢50,000 in general damages and GH¢30,000 in legal costs.
Additionally, the Ghana Police Service was directed to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.
Lawyer for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had urged the court to impose higher legal costs due to the nearly two years spent pursuing the case.
However, the judge declined the request, explaining that excessive penalties could affect the operational capacity of the police service.
Justice Brew further expressed hope that the current leadership of the Ghana Police Service would work towards protecting the rights of journalists, protesters and ordinary citizens.
The #OccupyJulorBiHouse protest drew national attention in 2023 as demonstrators took to the streets to protest economic hardship, corruption and governance concerns.
Several protesters and journalists later reported cases of assault, arrests and intimidation during the protest.
CREDIT: Mavis Fantevi
