Abraham Amaliba, a member of the legal team of the National Democratic Congress, has disclosed that a supplementary affidavit will be filed for six residents of the Techiman South constituency over the shooting incident which occurred in the area during the 2020 December elections.
According to him, the suit for compensation was filed last year, however, the courts is currently on recess and will expedite the necessary action once they resume activities.
His argument is premised on these individuals suing the state for some GH¢15 million as compensation for injuries sustained during the 2020 election.
“The suit is divided into two. There are those who are injured. Their action is different from those who died. So, for the two dead persons… in respect of them, we are seeking compensation to the tune of GHC10 million for each. In respect of the injured persons, various sums of money ranging from the degree of injury they have sustained. In one case, they are asking for GHC5 million, there’s also GHC3 million and there’s a further GHC2 million. So, this is the way the suit has been structured.
“So, this action was filed sometime in June this year. I’m aware that the Attorney General together with the Inspector General of Police have been served. They have filed their affidavits… The courts are on recess, when the courts come back from recess that will be 1st of October, we will file a supplementary affidavit then the matter will be ripe for hearing at the Wenchi high court”.
Mr Abraham Amaliba
Families of victims of Techiman South shooting disappointed
Expressing the position of the families embroiled in the legal case, Mr Amaliba explained that the families are disappointed over the President’s reaction to the matter.
“The families were disappointed when the President in his acceptance speech… failed to pass any comment regarding the brutality that took place in Techiman South. The families were again disappointed when the President had the opportunity to address parliament on the state of the nation’s address [and] failed to also mention the killings and the brutalities perpetrated by state agents…
“So based on the two occasions that they failed to hear from the President, they then instructed us to proceed to court”.
Mr Abraham Amaliba
That notwithstanding, Mr Amaliba expressed confidence in the judiciary ensuring justice “for all manner of persons”.
“We are confident that the Techiman high court will do the needful. I must say that we are prepared to go to the extent… if we don’t get the justice that we need here in Ghana. But for now, we have the confidence in the justice delivery system. So, we will push our case in court and then leave the rest to the court to decide for us”.
Mr Abraham Amaliba
Compensation suit filed against the state
The compensation case brought against the state was by six persons who claim they suffered gunshot wounds and other injuries on December 8, 2020.
There are two separate suits filed against the IGP and Attorney General by persons who suffered injuries and a father who lost his son during violence that marred the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary polls.
The first suit is filed by lawyers of one Edmond Ayarek of Gyarko, Techiman. He describes himself as the father of one Abdallah Ayarek, who lost his life during the elections.
Mr Ayarek alleges his son was killed by a firearm discharged by security personnel on December 8 at the Techiman South Collation Centre. Following this, he indicated that this breaches his son’s right to life guaranteed under Ghana’s constitution.
Additionally, he argues that other rights have equally been violated. This includes those requiring the state to respect and uphold the right to human life and human dignity, with freedom from torture being a requirement.
As a result, he has demanded that the state be ordered to investigate the killing swiftly and punish the perpetrators. Mr Ayarek is requesting for an amount of GH¢10 million to be paid as compensation for the psychological trauma suffered by the family as a result of the death.
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