Four Democracy Hub Protesters Discharged After State Prosecutors Drop Charges
- State prosecutors have dropped charges against four more Democracy Hub protesters at the Accra Circuit Court
- Earlier, state prosecutors dropped charges against seven Democracy Hub protesters during court proceedings
- This brings the number of discharged anti-galamsey protesters that were arrested in September 2024 to 11 out of the 53
- Independent journalist Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey told YEN.com.gh that the security service must be enhanced to prevent wrongful detentions
Four more Democracy Hub protesters have been discharged following the state's withdrawal of charges against them.
This brings the number of discharged protesters to 11 after seven from the 53 arrests were discharged on October 22, 2024.
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The state prosecutors told the Accra Circuit Court that they had updated their charge sheet against the protesters brought to court on September 25, 2024.
The four discharged persons were named as Cedric Bansah, Nana Amo Mensah Prempeh, Emmanuel Offei, and Thomas Yeboah.
Seven Democracy Hub protesters were discharged
Earlier, seven Democracy Hub protesters who were arraigned before the Accra High Court on October 22, 2024, had been discharged.
The Accra High Court discharged the protesters after the state prosecution led by Amanda Awadi informed the presiding judge that the Republic had decided to drop the charges against the seven.
The seven protesters were among nine who were brought before the court today.
They include Seth Cofie, Nii Quaye Hammond, Kingsley Asiedu, Vera Gloria Louis, Manuel Biney, Ernest Acheampong, and Dorsese Joseph.
The state prosecutor said a new charge sheet would be prepared and filed against the remaining two accused. The case was adjourned to November 21, 2024.
Journalist says security service must be enhanced
Independent news journalist Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey told YEN.com.gh that the police's failure to exercise due diligence during and after the protesters' arrests must be scrutinised.
He said while the recent release of protesters is welcome news, more must be done to enhance the country's security service to respond appropriately to protests and discontent among the population.
"The police failed to do due diligence when it decided to in a rambo style, arrest over 50 Democracy Hub protestors. After being remanded for 2 weeks, alleged maltreatment and delay in health care, the police and the Office of the Attorney General have finally decided to be law-abiding citizens and free more than 10 protestors.
"What happens to the rights of these individuals that were infringed upon and others more yet to be brought to light. The haste with which they were arrested indicates that we need to enhance the efficiency of our security service."
Police accused of unlawful arrest
The Ghana Police Service has been accused of arresting over 46 protesters unlawfully following the three-day #OccupyJulorbiHouse demonstration in Accra.
The protesters were demonstrating against the government's handling of the economic crisis and the illegal mining menace, which poses a significant danger to Ghana's water supply.
Reacting to the arrests, a lawyer and member of the Democracy Hub legal team, Prince Ganaku, said the police's actions are unlawful and reprehensible.
He stated that the police had refused to provide a list of those it picked up from the protest grounds and had also declined to disclose police stations where protesters were being kept.
Police dragged to CHRAJ
YEN.com.gh reported that a team of lawyers has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, accusing the Ghana Police Service of violating protesters' human rights and freedoms.
The lawyers, led by Timothy Selikem Donkor, accused the police of unconscionably detaining protesters under inhumane and harsh conditions that flew in the face of Articles 14, 15, 17, 19 and 23 of the '92 constitution.
Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh
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Source: YEN.com.gh
