Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has said participants of the Democracy Hub anti-galamsey protests would not have been arrested if Ghana was a serious country.
In instances where the environment is being threatened through the pollution of water bodies and destruction of forest reserves, Martin Kpebu says there couldn’t have been any better way for the citizens to address their concerns by staging the protest.
He argues the blockage of roads which the police cited as part of their reasons for arresting and detaining the demonstrators is a mere stunt to draw the attention of duty bearers on the severity of the galamsey issue.
Speaking on the KeyPoints on TV3 Saturday, September 28, 2024, Mr. Kpebu asked the Ghana Police Service to arrest the likes of Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party who is a known galamsey kingpin.
He says the known names behind illegal mining cannot walk free for those protesting for the protection of the environment to be arrested and detained beyond 48 hours.
“In any serious country, these protestors wouldn’t have been arrested because what they did is called publicity stunt. They were doing that to bring the attention of the leaders to the issue,” he told Alfred Ocansey.
Earlier, Mr. Kpebu had called for the resignation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) considering the manner with which the suspects were treated.
Speaking on Ghana Tonight Tuesday, September 24, 2024, the renowned lawyer indicated that the said State properties which the police charged the protestors for destroying are not precious than their lives to warrant the two-week remand, especially when the Supreme Court has ruled that every offence in the country is bailable.
“A citizen’s life is more precious than the properties that are alleged to have been destroyed etc, so we are not punishing citizens when they have not been put to trial. The police don’t need them in custody for two weeks,” he stated.
“That’s why I’m saying IGP has to go, he and Madam Andoh-Kwofie. We reported Akonta mining why didn’t they prosecute that case?” he asked, adding that a prosecution of the case would have had a serious effect on the fight against galamsey by serving as a deterrent to others.
“He failed to prosecute Wontumi and also infringed on the rights of the demonstrators. He abused the rights of these citizens who were demonstrating,” Mr. Kpebu added.
Amnesty International Ghana demands immediate release of #StopGalamseyNow protesters
An Accra Circuit Court remanded leading members of Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Felicity Nelson and 11 others into Police custody for two weeks.
Lawyers of the protesters had applied for a bail after they pleaded not guilty. Aside Oliver Barker Vormawor who was charged with 8 counts of offenses including, offensive conduct to the breach of peace and stealing, the remaining 12 were charged with 6 offenses.
The Judge handing the matter, Kwabena Obiri Yeboah ordered the Police to cater for the feeding of the protesters after reports that they had been starved for about 3 days.
After missing his first arraignment on day 1 due to health reasons, Oliver Barker-Vormawor was escorted to the circuit court limping and frail.
Fanny Otoo was however unable to make it to the cour Oliver’s lawyer, Dr Justice Srem Sai argued in court that the Police had neglected his client and denied him prompt medical care until he collapsed while in custody.
Meanwhile, the Police have denied reports of using force against anyone during the Democracy Hub demonstration last weekend despite provocations.
Following the violence that characterized the protest, the Police said that 54 persons were arrested and all of them have been put before the court in line with the due process of the law.
