Private legal practitioner Samson Lardy Anyenini has criticised the Ghana Police Service over the arrest and extended detention of blogger Samuel Amadotor of Dklassgh.net, describing the actions as unlawful and a violation of constitutional rights.
Amadotor was arrested following allegations that he published false information intended to damage the reputation of the former Board Chairman of the National Communications Authority (NCA), Okatakyie Boakye Danquah Ababio II. He was later granted GH¢50,000 bail by an Accra Circuit Court.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News on Friday, November 21, Mr Anyenini said the police had once again engaged in conduct that undermines human rights protections.
“This is not new with the police, regardless that it’s such an egregious breach of their human rights. How this journalist was arrested is what I am concerned about, and not that he was arrested,” he said.
“So keeping him for more than two days, for 48 hours, is completely lawless. It’s unconstitutional, and they have been doing this to many people.”
He noted that similar violations often go unnoticed when the victims are not journalists.
“He’s a journalist, so people are talking for him. I just gave you an example of people who were arrested and kept for over seven days before they were brought before the court. Nobody is speaking for them because they are not journalists.”
Mr Anyenini emphasised that although the law prohibits publishing false information, it is designed to target content capable of causing panic or disturbing public peace, not disputes involving private individuals.
“We have issues, but when they involve private individuals, and you cannot show that the publication will cause panic or disturb the public peace, then the state gets involved; that’s where we must be concerned,” he said.
He also stressed the need for stronger accountability within the police service.
“The police have been pulled over and again, and the courts have even held that even if it is a weekend, even if it is a holiday, you cannot breach the two-day rule. Don’t hold them beyond 48 hours without the blessing of a court. It’s as simple as that.”
He added, “The police chiefs, we must call them out. They must answer and respond to some of these things. The people in authority, and you and I, must make them appreciate that if they keep people beyond the lawful constitutional period, they should be held responsible.”
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