High Court Rules Police Violated Rights During #OccupyJulorbiHouse Protest
Court finds Ghana Police Service guilty of assault, unlawful detention and interference with journalists, awarding damages to victims.
- Court ruled police violated rights of Bridget Otoo and two others.
- Victims were assaulted, detained, and prevented from documenting events.
- Court awarded compensation and ordered a public apology.
The High Court in Accra has ruled that the Ghana Police Service violated the constitutional rights of journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest held in September 2023.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday by the Human Rights Division 2 of the High Court, presided over by Justice Nana Brew, in the case of Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. The Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General.
The court found that officers of the Ghana Police Service engaged in unconstitutional acts, including assault, unlawful detention, and interference with journalistic work during the demonstration.
According to the ruling, Bridget Otoo was assaulted by police officers during the protest, with her clothing allegedly torn in the process.
Another applicant, Vanessa Edotom Boateng, was found to have been unlawfully detained, while her mobile phone was seized to prevent her from recording alleged police misconduct.
The court also ruled that George Gyening Anyang was assaulted while livestreaming at a police station, with reports indicating he was beaten with a metallic belt, baton, and subjected to punches and slaps by officers.
Justice Brew stated that the police violated the fundamental rights of individuals they were constitutionally mandated to protect.
The court awarded compensatory damages of GH¢100,000, general damages of GH¢50,000, and legal costs of GH¢30,000 in favour of the applicants.
It further ordered the Ghana Police Service to publish an unqualified apology in the state-owned Daily Graphic newspaper.
Although the applicants’ legal team requested higher costs due to the length of the trial, the court declined, noting that excessive financial penalties could undermine the operational capacity of the police service.
The judge referenced previous human rights rulings and cautioned against future abuses by law enforcement officers.
He also expressed hope that the leadership of the Ghana Police Service under the current Inspector General would prioritise the protection of journalists and citizens’ rights.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest in September 2023 drew widespread attention over governance concerns, economic hardship, and allegations of heavy-handed policing, sparking condemnation from civil society and media rights groups.
