Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akufo Dampare, to order his officers to allow persons detained during the Arise Ghana Demonstration to have access to their lawyers.

LINSOD in a statement indicated that holding the arrested without access to legal representatives is in contravention of the 1992 Constitution.

“Lawyers In Search Of Democracy (LINSOD) denounce this unconstitutional act by the Police and condemn it in its entirety. We demand of the IGP to immediately order his men to allow persons being in custody to have access to Lawyers.”
LINSOD

The group intimated that it fears the arrested persons may spend a longer time in custody because Thursday, June 30 is Martyrs Day and the courts will not sit. As such, the group therefore, wanted immediate access so that they could be released on bail.

However, LINSOD indicated that the police are infringing on the rights of the demonstrators.

“We further demand of the IGP to order his men to respect the constitutional rights of all persons being held in detention by the Ghana Police and treat them with dignity.

“We further condemn the propensity of law enforcement officers who assaulted unarmed innocent civilians with impunity and complete disregard for their rights.”
LINSOD

Lack of professionalism displayed

LINSOD expressed disappointment in what it said is the lack of professionalism displayed by the police on Tuesday.

“The Police must live up to its label as a ‘service’ and provide protection in a professional way to demonstrators.”
LINSOD

On Tuesday, police picked up 29 persons said to have breached the law while demonstrating at the Obra Spot in Accra. It stated that those persons would be processed for court in anticipation of more arrests.

According to the Police, available video footages of the event are being reviewed and all other persons identified for taking part in the attacks as well as inciting the violence will be arrested and brought to face justice.

Police have also resolved to arrest leaders of the demonstration dubbed #KromAy3Hye demo.

The Police also reported that Joshua Akamba, the national organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was spotted with a weapon at El-Wak on the second day of the Arise Ghana demonstration.

According to the police report, he was duly advised by the police to put the weapon away after his attention was drawn to the illegality associated with such an act. He was also urged to notify other demonstrators to desist from carrying offensive weapons during the demonstration.