Award-winning broadcast journalist, and activist, Bridget Otoo and two individuals have sued the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General over the assault they suffered at the hands of some police officers during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest organised last year.
This is according to reliable information from credible sources.
The three applicants, Bridget Otoo, Vanessa Edotom Boateng and George Agyening Anyang, have prayed to the court for an application for the enforcement of fundamental human rights (Articles 24 (1), 162 (5), 21 (1) (A), 162 (4), 21 (1) (D), 15 (1) and (2), 14 (1) and 18 (2) of the constitution.
The three are being represented by Samson Lardy Anyenini, Esq, per a writ sighted by The Independent Ghana (TIGpost).
From the writ, it appears this suit actually predates that of the Democracy Hub, the organizers of the #OccuppyJulorbiHouseDemo who have also made their way to court over human rights infringement by the police.
In September last year, a video circulating on social media showed the moment when Bridget was attacked. Two men not in uniform came out of the Accra Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service located at Tudu and charged at her, pushing her with extreme force in an attempt to drag her into the gated yard of the building, amid protests from fellow protesters who were in front of the facility demanding the release of their colleagues who had been detained.
Bridget Otoo, who was seemingly later let go, stated that the police tore part of her shirt, physically assaulted her, and other participants.
Presently, Democracy Hub and 23 other applicants have also sued the Ghana Police Service (GPS) over alleged unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of protestors during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration.
In a press release signed by Benjamin Akuffo Darko, the organisation said arrested demonstrators were assaulted at the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra.
“21st September, more than fifty police officers encircled and aggressively apprehended demonstrators who had congregated to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed right to protest.
“These citizens were then forcibly transported to the Regional Police Headquarters in Accra, where they faced further assaults and were detained without just cause,” portions of the release read.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest was a three-day demonstration organized by a group of citizens who are dissatisfied with the performance of President Nana Akufo-Addo and his administration.
The group called for better governance, accountability, transparency, and social justice in Ghana. The group has been using social media to mobilize support and express their grievances over various issues such as e-levy, galamsey, fuel prices, unemployment, education, health care, security, among others.
tigpost.co