General News of 2013-01-17

Human Rights Group threatens to sue police

The Ashanti Regional Police Command’s joy of eliminating three notorious armed robbers in Kumasi may be short-lived.

Rather, the police may have to brace up for a legal battle with a human rights lawyer over the killing of the three.

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative is seeking the consent of families of the armed robbers to sue the Police for the manner in which the killings were done.

Police explain they shot and killed the robbers when they attempted escaping from lawful custody.

Lawyer Shadrack Obeng Yeboah told Joy News the Police went beyond the acceptable force limit.

He said what happened is not right given the circumstances and the fact of the case.

We have taken the position that if we get the consent of the family members of those victims we would take the matter upon ourselves and prosecute same to its fullest realisation.

He said the law permits one to defend himself, if his life is in danger. The law also permits that if one is escaping from lawful custody, appropriate must used to prevent that person from escaping.

He is convinced the police acted arbitrarily in gunning down the suspects.