Who in the police has money to buy Papaye for suspects? – Protest lawyers clash with A-G over alleged abuses

There was a reported confrontation between the lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office and legal representatives of some members of Democracy Hub who were put before an Accra Circuit Court on Thursday.

According to a report by GhOne, state prosecutors, in the midst of a bail hearing, sought to dispel claims that the suspects arrested during a protest between Saturday, September 21, and Monday, September 23, 2024, had been denied access to food by the police while in custody.

The prosecution, according to the report, informed the court that contrary to the claims which have led to public outcry, the police have even gone out of their way to feed suspects food purchased from Papaye, a high-end fast-food restaurant chain.

Unenthused by the claim of the state prosecutors, a lead counsel for the accused persons, Justice Srem Sai, questioned the authenticity of the claim.

“Who in the police service has money to buy Papaye for accused persons?” the defence lawyer is said to have questioned.

Suspects presented before the court on Thursday include Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a lead convenor of Democracy Hub.

He pleaded not guilty to an array of charges following his arrest during a three-day protest against the government's handling of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey.

His arrest, alongside 45 other demonstrators, took place as they protested the environmental and social impact of illegal mining and the government's alleged inaction.

Mr. Barker-Vormawor, who missed his court hearing on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, due to illness, appeared before the court on Thursday, September 26, 2024, where he entered his not-guilty plea.

He is facing several charges, including conspiracy to commit unlawful assembly, unlawful damage, offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on a public officer, defacement of public property, and theft.

However, the court on Wednesday remanded some 38 of the suspects into custody for two weeks following their appearance.

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.

GA/KA

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