Private legal practitioner Mr. Dickson Tweneboa-Koduah has advised the leadership of Democracy Hub, organisers of the Reoccupy Julorbi House demonstration, to provide substantial evidence to support their allegations of maltreatment of their members who have been arrested.
The protesters, who had been participating in a three-day demonstration organised by Democracy Hub, were protesting against the effects of illegal mining on Ghana’s environment.
Several of them were arrested for allegedly engaging in acts of lawlessness and are currently on trial.
The leadership of the group alleged that their members were denied access to their lawyers; they were also denied food, water, essential items, and maltreated while they were in the custody of the police.
But reacting to these allegations, Mr. Tweneboa-Koduah posited that it would be crucial for them to provide evidence of the alleged abuse and maltreatment of their members.
He said it would be rather unfortunate for these allegations to be true.
The lawyer noted that no accused person or anyone arrested must be subjected to such inhumane treatment.
“We all have to establish if indeed they were maltreated. I don’t know if they have been able to specifically detail those who were or have been maltreated. It is important for them to specify that, for example, Abena has been maltreated or was either refused food or water. It is the state’s responsibility to ensure that when someone is arrested, the person is provided with food and water. Every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction or the person admits to guilt.
I will neither deny nor agree that they have been maltreated. But I would be extremely surprised if these allegations are true, and without any evidence, it would be difficult for me to accept that those arrested were maltreated by the police. It will be strange for the arrested persons to be denied food and water, and that is why it is important for them to provide specific details. It should not be just about hearsay. If that is also the case, it is unfortunate. It should not have occurred.
By: Rsinbowradioonline.com/Ghana
