The Circuit Court in Accra presided over by His Honour Kwabena Obiri Yeboah has directed the Ghana Police Service to ensure that the protesters who have been remanded into Police Custody are fed twice a day.
This was after the defense lawyers in the separate cases had brought to the attention of the Court the harsh treatment the police were taking the accused person through.
The defense lawyers had consistently made the point that the accused persons have not been fed for days since arrest while those with health conditions have been left to their fate in cells.
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, who is representing four of the accused persons, made the point that, Oliver Barker-Vormawor collapsed but the police were rather bent on arraigning him in Court instead of ensuring he is taken to hospital to be treated.
Counsel also made a point about Felicity Nelson, another of his clients who has to suffer from asthmatic attacks and a “common inhaler” she could not be supplied.
“Felicity Nelson (A11) started her journey from the Railway Police station on her first night of arrest because of overcrowding. She was moved to Batsonaa Police Cells and from there, last night she was moved to Cantonment Police Station. Only God knows where she will go from here,” Dr Srem-Sai to the Court.
But, the Police through Superintendent Sylvester Asare, the head of Legal and Prosecution of the Ghana Police Service and the supervisor of the investigation team denied the allegations that they were not fed.
He said, he personally supervises their feeding including feeding them with Papaye, a point that saw a reaction from some of the accused persons.
Assistant State Attorney, Nana Akosua Kusi while responding to the defense claims on the health issues, advocated the accused persons to be remanded into prison custody since they have health facilities.
Meanwhile lawyers of the the over 50 Democracy Hub protesters including Leading members of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, Felicity Nelson, Elorm Ababio Esq also known as Ama Governor have indicated they would be appealing the decisions of the Circuit Court to remand their clients.
So far 54 were arrested but 53 have appeared in Court and have been remanded. One other was absent and the court has issued a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Brief facts
The brief facts of the case as presented to the Court were that, the accused persons are part of a group of protesters.
And that on July 9, 2024, the Police Service received a notice from a group known as ‘Democracy Hub’ informing them of their intention to hold a protest dubbed “#Wetaya #ReoccupyJulorbihouse Demonstration.”
According to the Prosecution, by that letter, the group requested the police to provide them with security and protection for the intended demonstration.
The Prosecution state that, the group indicated that they intended to protest at the Revolutionary Square, opposite the Jubilee House.
“After several meetings with the Police, the group was advised by the Police to propose an alternative venue as the chosen venue was considered a security zone and likely to affect public order and lead to violence or endanger public defence.
“By an order of the High Court dated 18th September, 2024, the group was prohibited from embarking on the intended demonstration at the Revolutionary square,” the prosecution stated.
It added that, “The Police thus communicated to the convener of the group and suggested 7 different locations to be used for the protest in the interest of public order.”
“The group however rejected the proposed venues and elected to protest at the 37 roundabout which was rejected by the Police.
“On 21st September, 2024 the group embarked on their protest and gathered around the 37-roundabout insisting to proceed to the revolutionary square.
“The Police mounted barricades around the 37 roundabouts in a bid to maintain security and order.
“The barricades restrained the demonstrators from proceeding to the Revolutionary square,” the Prosecution stated.
Serious traffic
It stated that, “The demonstration suddenly turned chaotic as the accused persons resorted to blocking the major roads with stones and vehicles delaying access at the roundabout.
“This caused serious traffic within the Liberation Road, the El walk stadium, the Kawukudi road and its environs.
“This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience and annoyance for commuters,” the facts stated.
Billboards
It is the case of the Prosecution that, the accused persons also “pulled down billboards and burnt electoral posters and flags of political parties.”
“Again, the suspects forcefully pushed down the police barricade that was used to secure the area obstructing the effort of the police to maintain peace and security.
“On 22nd September the accused persons again brought in vehicles to block the major roads.
“The police quickly moved in to remove the said vehicles for easy flow of traffic for commuters.
“The accused persons however fiercely resisted the attempt by the Police to tow away the vehicles,” the Prosecution stated.
“The 1st accused person in particular was seen forcefully entering the Police towing van and without authorization, turned off the engine and removed the ignition key to the towing van.
“This action demobilized the Police to tow away the vehicle that the accused persons had used to block the public roads. The 1st accused person thereafter bolted with the key to the Police van,” the prosecution told the Court.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
