President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Samuel Afotey Otu, has called on the Ghana Police Service to reinforce security mechanisms at the courts following an attack on its members.

According to him, following the violent and unlawful invasion of the premises of the District Court in Tamale by some unscrupulous persons on Monday 28th August 2023, at around 10:00am, members of the association are living in fear. He revealed that although JUSAG is yet to fully ascertain the details and reasons for the attack, the suspects are in police custody for investigation.

“Our members are afraid now because of this incident. In fact, this is not the first time. Just last week or so, same incident happened when a suspect was put in a police vehicle. The supporters of that particular suspect were forcing to pull him out of the car, and this is becoming rampant these days.
“So, what we are trying to do is, we want management and the police service, especially the IGP, to reinforce their security mechanism, especially when there are such criminal matters pending before the court. We want them to put more police officers on board to make sure peace prevails.”
Samuel Afotey Otu

On the issue of engaging the police further on the matter, Mr Otu stated that although JUSAG is issuing statements to that effect, the management of the association made up of the Chief Justice and judicial secretary, acting as administrators, are working things out on behalf of the members.

Resolving issues on attacks of JUSAG members

Recounting the incident, Mr Afotey in an earlier statement revealed that the attack saw residents troop the Court premises in their numbers, pelting stones that destroyed fixtures and injured a police officer, leading to exchange of gun fire by the Police to disperse the irate youth.
In light of this, he noted that JUSAG unreservedly condemns the “barbaric act of the miscreants”.

Nonetheless, he commended the Ghana Police Service for the swift intervention with reinforcement that saved the properties and lives of the Magistrates, Court Officials, Lawyers, Litigants and other court users during the “sad” event.

“Whilst we send our well wishes to the injured police officer and other innocent victims, we wish to call on the Ghana Police Service to deal decisively with the thirteen suspects arrested during the event in accordance with the law whilst efforts are made to apprehend the other suspects on the run.”
Samuel Afotey Otu

Moreover, Mr Otu equally called on the Judicial Service and the securities services to intensify efforts to ensure optimum safety and security of all officers of the Court before justice administration resumes at the Court.

Additionally, he reminded the general public that the judiciary exists for all citizens, and that justice is administered in accordance with the law, irrespective of the persons involved. As such, he noted that all citizens owe it a duty to support the courts to operate in an atmosphere free of all forms intimidation and violence.

“Further, we call on the revered chiefs, religious leaders, political leadership and the opinion leaders of Tamale and the Northern Region to support the Judiciary and the security services to serve the people to the best of their abilities.”
Samuel Afotey Otu