An Accra High Court has awarded GH¢150,000 in damages against the Ghana Police Service for violating the fundamental rights of journalist Bridget Otoo and two other individuals during the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest.
The court also ordered the police service to pay an additional GH¢30,000 to cover legal costs incurred by the three applicants in pursuing the case.
Delivering judgment on Thursday [May 14], Justice Brew ruled that officers of the Ghana Police Service acted unlawfully and breached the constitutional rights of the victims, despite being mandated to protect citizens.
According to the court’s findings, the conduct of the police during the protest was described as “unconstitutional,” with the judge citing incidents of physical assault, unlawful detention, and interference with personal freedoms.
The ruling highlighted separate acts of abuse suffered by the three individuals during the protest.
Bridget Otoo was reportedly assaulted by police officers, with her blouse allegedly ripped apart during the incident.
Another victim, Vanessa Edotom Boateng, was found to have been unlawfully detained while officers seized her mobile phone in an attempt to prevent her from recording alleged police brutality.
The third applicant, George Gyening Anyang, was reportedly subjected to severe assault while livestreaming events at the regional police station.
The court heard that he was slapped, punched, and beaten with a metallic belt and baton by officers.
In addition to the financial compensation, the High Court ordered the Ghana Police Service to publish an unqualified apology in the state-owned newspaper, Daily Graphic.
The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, which drew widespread public attention, became a major symbol of youth activism and civic resistance in Ghana, with demonstrators demanding better governance, economic accountability, and social justice.
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