#ReOccuppyJulorbiHouse – We are investigating how two suspects were kept in custody for more than 48-hours – Police

The Ghana Police Service says it has launched an internal investigation into the circumstances under which two out of over 40 Democracy Hub protesters were kept in their custody without being put before a court.

In a statement dated Thursday, September 26, 2024, the police said the investigation forms part of efforts to maintain high ethical and professional standards, and that officers who are found responsible will face disciplinary action.

“As part of efforts to be transparent and maintain high ethical and professional standards, the police administration has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB, formerly PIPS) to investigate the circumstances under which two of the suspects were kept in police custody for 48 hours without being sent to court, for necessary action to be taken against those responsible,” the statement said.

The police arrested over 40 demonstrators from Democracy Hub who embarked on a protest against illegal mining activities in the country.

The protestors and their legal team have accused the police of mistreatment, alleging that they have been denied access to food, their families, and legal counsel since their arrest.

Some of the suspects and their families have also accused the police of wrongful arrests.

These allegations have intensified concerns over the treatment of activists and the ongoing crackdown on civil disobedience.

However, the police in their statement on Thursday denied the various allegations.

The police, among other things, clarified that it was compelled under the circumstances to arrest the suspects after they had engaged in lawlessness and defied a court injunction not to protest at the 37 Intersection.

In the case of one of the suspects said to be pregnant, the police clarified that the suspect did not inform officers of her condition or exhibit any signs of pregnancy at the time of her arrest.

Again, there was no communication to the court of any such condition, either by herself or through her lawyers. "In order to establish the veracity or otherwise of the claim in the public domain of the alleged pregnancy, the police took the initiative and sent her to the Police Hospital and an independent health facility for a thorough medical examination. Both medical results came out negative, suggesting that Gloria Vera Loise is not pregnant as claimed,” the statement noted.

GA/KA

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