Court orders police to pay Bridget Otoo, others GH¢150k over protest abuse

Journalist Bridget Otoo and two other applicants have secured a significant legal victory against the Ghana Police Service after the High Court in Accra ruled that their fundamental human rights were violated during the 2023 #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests.

The court awarded GH¢150,000 in damages to Bridget Otoo, activist Vanessa Edotom Boateng and George Gyening Anyang over what Justice Brew described as unconstitutional conduct by police officers during the demonstrations. An additional GH¢30,000 was awarded as legal costs, while the court also ordered the Ghana Police Service to publish an unqualified apology in the Daily Graphic newspaper.

The ruling stems from incidents that occurred during the September 2023 #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, a youth-led demonstration that drew national attention over concerns about economic hardship, governance and corruption.

According to evidence presented before the court, Bridget Otoo was assaulted by police officers during the protest, with her blouse allegedly torn in the process. Vanessa Edotom Boateng was unlawfully detained and had her mobile phone seized while attempting to record the arrest and treatment of protesters. George Gyening Anyang also told the court he was beaten by officers while livestreaming events at the Accra Regional Police Command.

Justice Brew ruled that the conduct of the officers involved breached the constitutional rights of the applicants, reinforcing protections guaranteed under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, including freedom of assembly, expression and media freedom.

The #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests became one of the most prominent civic demonstrations in recent years, with protesters demanding action over the country’s worsening economic conditions, youth unemployment and accountability in governance. Organised under the Democracy Hub movement, the protests attracted widespread public support but also heavy police presence and mass arrests.

The handling of the demonstrations sparked criticism from civil society organisations, press freedom advocates and legal experts, many of whom accused the police of using excessive force and unlawfully detaining protesters and journalists.