By Gifty Amofa
Accra, November 21, GNA – Judith Yaa Kumah, who lost part of her ear during a police investigation into an alleged robbery, has filed a lawsuit seeking GHC 15 million in damages for human rights violations.

Her lawyer, Mr Andrew Khartey, sued the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Corporal Clement Suputour (the officer involved) and the Attorney General (AG) as the legal representative of the government.

The defendants, including the AG, have eight days to respond to the suit, or a judgment may be entered in their absence.

Kumah is seeking GHC 6 million for human rights violations committed by GPS and its employee, plus a further GHC 3 million for false arrest, assault and battery.

She is also claiming GHC 3 million for negligence on the part of GPS and a further GHC 3 million for the violation of her fundamental rights and the torturous acts she suffered.

Khartey is also asking the Court to order the defendants to pay all expenses for the reconstruction of his client’s ear and to address the hearing impairment.

According to the statement of claim, Kumah was arrested without being informed of the reason for her arrest and the arrest was made without legal justification, making a false arrest.

The summons also stated that the physical harm inflicted on Kumah, including the forced extraction of a statement, violated her right to a fair trial and her dignity.

The amputation of part of her ear is described as an act of aggression and aggression.

In addition, the delay in publishing her medical results was seen as a violation of her right to health and life.

The writing said that Kumah was arrested on February 29, 2024, when she went to the Community One police station to visit her boyfriend, who had been arrested, but she herself was detained.

She was then transferred to the Community 8 police station, where Corporal Clement Suputour allegedly tried to force a confession out of her.

Despite not being told the reason for her arrest or her right to a lawyer, she was questioned about the whereabouts of a person involved in a crime, whom she denied knowing.

During the interrogation, Suputour allegedly cut off the top of Judith’s right ear using a metal object.

However, instead of receiving medical attention, he was offered marijuana by the officer to ease his pain, which he refused.

After being ordered by a superior officer, Suputour took Judith to the Community Two Police Clinic, which did not have the medical equipment to treat her injuries.

The severed part of her ear was not preserved and has since disappeared.

At the clinic, it was also discovered that Judith was pregnant, but Suputour showed no concern for her condition and instead returned her to the police station for further questioning.

During her detention, Kumah was accused of being involved in a carjacking and was allegedly identified as a woman in CCTV footage of the robbery.

Suputour then forced her to sign a confession and threatened to cut off her other ear if she did not comply.

Despite the allegations, when taken to the scene, security officers did not identify her, nor was she recognized during an identification parade.

Kumah was eventually charged, but the prosecution failed to present the CCTV footage as evidence in court, leading to her acquittal.
Later, new suspects were arraigned for the same crime.

The writ stated that Kumah experienced significant emotional distress, including embarrassment, reduced confidence in social situations and trauma due to the illegal treatment he endured.

She is seeking damages for physical, emotional and psychological harm caused by the incident, which she claims violated her rights and dignity.
GNA