The Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra has ruled that the Ghana Police Service violated the rights of journalists and demonstrators during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest held in September 2023.

The judgment, delivered on Thursday, May 14, was in favour of journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants in a suit filed against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General.

The case, Bridget Otoo & 2 Others v. The Inspector General of Police & Attorney-General, was presided over by Justice Nana Brew, who criticised the conduct of police officers during the protest.

According to the court, officers who were expected to ensure the safety of protesters instead engaged in acts that breached the constitutional rights of the applicants, including assault, unlawful detention and obstruction of journalistic work.

The court heard that Bridget Otoo was physically assaulted during the protest, resulting in her blouse being torn by police officers.

Another applicant, Vanessa Edotom Boateng, was found to have been unlawfully detained while officers confiscated her mobile phone to stop her from recording alleged acts of brutality.

The third applicant, George Gyening Anyang, was reportedly assaulted while livestreaming events at a regional police station.

According to the judgment, he suffered attacks involving slaps, punches, a metallic belt and a baton in the hands of police officers.

Justice Brew described the actions of the officers as unconstitutional and condemned what he said was an abuse of police authority.

The court granted all the reliefs sought by the applicants and awarded damages against the police service.

Under the ruling, the applicants are to receive GH¢100,000 in compensatory damages, GH¢50,000 in general damages and GH¢30,000 as legal costs.

The court also ordered the police to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic.

Counsel for the applicants, Samson Lardy Anyenini of A-PARTNERS@LAW, had pushed for higher legal costs, citing the nearly two years the matter remained before the court.

However, Justice Brew rejected the request, explaining that imposing excessive financial penalties could negatively affect the operational capacity of the police service.

The judge also referenced previous incidents, including the Solomon Joojo Cobinah case, while expressing concern over recurring allegations of police misconduct and abuse of power.

Justice Brew further expressed optimism that the current leadership of the Ghana Police Service under the new Inspector General of Police would uphold and protect the rights of journalists, activists and ordinary citizens.

The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest attracted nationwide attention in September 2023 as demonstrators marched against economic hardship, governance challenges and corruption, with several protesters and journalists alleging harassment, assault and arrests during the exercise.