JUSAG condemns attack on Tamale District Court, perpetrators must be dealt with

The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has condemned in no uncertain terms the barbaric gunshots exchanges between some civilians and the police at a District Court in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale.

JUSAG through its National President, Samuel Afotey Otu is therefore calling for the arrested perpetrators to be brought to book whilst those on the run are sought after.

This call from JUSAG comes after reports emerged on Monday, August 28, that some members of the community stormed the Tamale District Court to ensure that a drug peddler, whose actions is said to have been destroying lives of the youth of Tamale, is prosecuted.

The police is accused of shielding the drug peddler and releasing him without proper trial any time he was arrested.

The ensuing development, led to the exchange of gunshots, which according to the report, injured three police officers and some civilians.

In a Statement issued on Monday, August 28, 2023 and signed by Samuel Afotey Otu, the National President of JUSAG, said, “JUSAG unreservedly condemn the barbaric act of the miscreants.”

JUSAG, while commending the Police for the swift intervention for reinforcements in savings properties and lives, called for the arrested perpetrators to be dealt with while those on the run are pursued.

JUSAG also called on the 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.

“In no uncertain terms, JUSAG unreservedly condemn the barbaric act of the miscreants. We also wish to commend the Ghana Police Service for their 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 (13) suspects arrested during the event in accordance with the law whilst efforts are made to apprehend the other suspects on the run.

“We call 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.,” the statement signed by Mr Afotey Otu urged.

Below is the full statement from JUSGA

ATTACK ON THE DISTRICT COURT TAMALE

(1) The Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) notes with grave concern the violent and unlawful invasion of the premises of the District Court Tamale by some unscrupulous elements of Tamale on Monday 28th August 2023 at around 10:00am.

(2) That attack which saw residents troop the Court premises in their numbers and pelting stones that destroyed fixtures and injured a police officer, leading to exchange of gun fire by the Police to disperse the irate youth.

(3)In no uncertain terms, JUSAG unreservedly condemn the barbaric act of the miscreants. We also wish to commend the Ghana Police Service for their 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.

(4) 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 (13) suspects arrested during the event in accordance with the law whilst efforts are made to apprehend the other suspects on the run.

(5) We call 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.

(6) The general public are reminded that the judiciary exists for all citizens, and that justice is administered in accordance with the law irrespective of the persons involved. All citizens owe it a duty to support our courts to operate in an atmosphere free of all forms intimidation and violence.

(7) 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.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com