Democracy Hub Demo: Ensure accused persons are fed twice a day – Court to police

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 directive came after the defence lawyers in the separate cases brought to the Court's attention the harsh treatment the Police were subjecting the accused persons to.

The defence lawyers consistently argued that the accused persons had not been fed for days since their arrest, and those with health conditions had been left to their fate in cells.

Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, who is representing four of the accused persons, pointed out that Oliver Barker-Vormawor collapsed, but the Police were more focused on arraigning him in Court instead of ensuring he was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Counsel also highlighted the case of Felicity Nelson, another of his clients, who suffers from asthmatic attacks and was not provided with a "common inhaler."

"Felicity Nelson (A11) started her journey from the Railway Police Station on her first night of arrest due to overcrowding. She was moved to Batsonaa Police Cells, and then, last night, she was moved to Cantonment Police Station. Only God knows where she will go from here," Dr. Srem-Sai told the Court.

However, 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 the accused were not fed.

He stated that he personally supervises their feeding, including providing them with meals from Papaye, a point that elicited a reaction from some of the accused persons.

Assistant State Attorney Nana Akosua Kusi, while responding to the defence's claims on health issues, advocated for the accused persons to be remanded into prison custody since they have health facilities.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the over 50 Democracy Hub protesters, including leading members of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Mawuse Barker-Vormawor, Felicity Nelson, and Elorm Ababio Esq, also known as Ama Governor, have indicated they would be appealing the Circuit Court's decision to remand their clients.

So far, 54 people have been arrested, but 53 have appeared in Court and have been remanded. One other was absent, and the Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Brief Facts

The brief facts of the case presented to the Court were that the accused persons were part of a group of protesters.

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 stated that the group indicated 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 seven 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 on proceeding to the Revolutionary Square.

"The Police mounted barricades around the 37 Roundabout 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-Wak Stadium, the Kawukudi Road, and its environs.

"This caused significant traffic, delay, inconvenience, and annoyance for commuters," the facts stated.

Billboards

The Prosecution stated 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 from towing 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.