A Ghanaian judge based in The Gambia, Alexander Osei Tutu, has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Attorney-General to compensate an alleged rapist over wrongful detention.
The suspect, a 75-year-old man, Sylvanus Johnson, is reported to have been jailed by the Gambian police for more than 72 hours for allegedly raping his victim.
Between April 7 and April 19, 2021, the suspect was held at the Police Headquarters in Banjul without being arraigned.
A situation the police blamed on lockdown in the country amid the covid-19 pandemic.
However, according to the country’s constitutional provision, which requires a suspect to be put before the court within 72 hours, he applied to the Kanifng High Court to enforce his constitutional liberties.
An appeal that saw the court presided over by Justice Osei Tutu, who ruled in his favour on secondment in the Gambia.
Justice Osei Tutu, in his judgment, reminded the police that the country was governed by law, with the constitution being the Supreme law that guarantees the personal liberties and rights of people.
He cautioned there should not be any attempt on any day or occasion to deprive people from the enjoyment of these rights and liberties or in any manner take them for granted.
“Such a course would be relentlessly, fearlessly and zealously resisted by the courts that are mandated by the constitution as the last hope of the people of The Gambia,” part of the ruling sighted by adomonline.com read.
Meanwhile, Mr Johnson is expected to receive D40,000.00 equivalent to about ¢5,000 as compensation from the country’s Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General.
Latest Stories
-
Agogo Presby Hospital celebrates staff over zero maternal death record
50 mins -
Ghana isn’t broke to procure high and low-voltage poles – Energy Minister
50 mins -
Appiatse residents handed keys to newly constructed homes
58 mins -
Dumsor: Mahama the only President to superintend ‘dum dum’ for 4 years – Opoku Prempeh
1 hour -
Burnley sign partnership deal with fan-backed scouting platform Nordensa
2 hours -
Akesse Brempong, MOG Music, Afronita, Dope Nation to perform at Nsoromma Season 6 Grand Finale
2 hours -
Hopeson Adorye to form ‘Jail Them’ advocacy group
3 hours -
Shatta Wale once cried and knelt to apologise to Mahama – Dr Lawrence Tetteh
3 hours -
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting photo ID
3 hours -
Nigeria soldiers face trial for deadly air strike ‘mistake’
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo, Otumfuo to commission Kumasi International Airport on May 10
3 hours -
PWDs who gain admission into tertiary institutions will be prioritised with government scholarships – Bawumia
3 hours -
Strongman regrets involving Fella Makafui in Medikal feud
3 hours -
NPP must unite now or perish later – Ameyaw-Akumfi warns
3 hours -
Fuel price adjustment: petrol surges to GH₵15.22, diesel falls to GH₵14.65
3 hours