The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly condemned the police brutality carried out on a nursing mother at the Shiashie branch of Midland Savings and Loans Company Limited.
In a statement, the GBA called on the Police Service to immediately begin disciplinary proceedings against the Police Officer who committed the crime.
A footage of Lance Corporal Godzi Frederick Amanor in uniform assaulting a woman with a baby strapped behind her on social media has sparked outrage among Ghanaians.
The 1:26 seconds amateur video shows the officer, who had a gun with him, hitting the woman on the head repeatedly and slapping her at a point, despite a desperate attempt by an unidentified man to separate them.
He has been interdicted by the Police Service while investigation has also commenced into the conduct of officials of the Midland Savings and Loans Limited.
According to the GBA “the conduct of the police officer is appalling, despicable and disgraceful, and we hereby wish to reiterate the Bar’s condemnation, made on 30th June 2018, of persons who attack citizens or persons no matter the cause. We also wish to reiterate that the security of all citizens is not only a fundamental human right but it is also integral to ensuring the rule of law. Insecurity is a threat to the rule of law and undermines our democracy; hence it should have no place in our democratic dispensation.”
Below is the full statement by the GBA
The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has viewed with horror and revulsion a video circulating on social media in respect of an incident which allegedly occurred at a financial institution in Accra. The GBA is appalled that a police officer, whose primary duties include ensuring the safety of persons, should brutalise the very persons he is duty-bound to protect, with such impunity. The Bar condemns in no uncertain terms the reprehensible and cruel conduct of the police officer.
The GBA would wish to empathise with the victim of the assault for the traumatic experience she underwent, and to stress that under no circumstance should any citizen or resident of Ghana be subjected to such cruelty.
The conduct of the police officer is appalling, despicable and disgraceful, and we hereby wish to reiterate the Bar’s condemnation, made on 30th June 2018, of persons who attack citizens or persons no matter the cause. We also wish to reiterate that the security of all citizens is not only a fundamental human right but it is also integral to ensuring the rule of law. Insecurity is a threat to the rule of law and undermines our democracy; hence it should have no place in our democratic dispensation.
The GBA has noted the statement issued by the Police Administration and particularly the steps it has taken so far and wishes to assert that the matter should be followed through by the Police Administration and the appropriate sanctions applied.
Security officers who under the guise of maintaining peace and order attack, abuse and dehumanise citizens must not escape the arm of the law and victims of such brutalities must receive justice.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
