Alfred Tuah Yeboah, the Deputy Attorney General, has firmly refuted claims that protesters arrested during the Democracy Hub demonstration were denied access to their legal representatives.
He reiterated his office’s dedication to investigating the situation if there is any proof that protesters were prevented from obtaining legal representation.
The protesters, who were demonstrating against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, from September 21 to 23, have accused the police of obstructing access to lawyers and family members before their court appearance.
This incident has sparked widespread criticism, with former President John Mahama condemning the “excessive force” used by the Ghana Police Service and calling for the protesters’ immediate release.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has also denounced the treatment of the protesters, labelling it as “severe” and “authoritarian.”
However, Tuah Yeboah maintained that there is no evidence supporting claims that the detained protesters were denied access to their lawyers before their court hearing on September 24.
Speaking in an interview with Selorm Adonoo on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, September 28, the Deputy Attorney General stated, “I have no evidence, nor does our office, that any accused persons were denied their right to consult with counsel.”
“The right to a lawyer for an accused person is a fundamental right. And so anyone who is restricted, impugned or arrested has the right under the constitution to a lawyer of his/her choice, that right of access is something that cannot be traded.
“So, as I speak, we have no evidence to that effect, but if it did happen, definitely, it’s something that we will look into. Because it’s the fundamental right of every person arrested to have a lawyer of his/her choice and be given that access to consult his/her lawyer.”
