Police sued for GH₵15m over chopped ear of pregnant woman

A young musician, Judith Yaa Kumah, who was pregnant at the time of the incident, has filed a lawsuit against the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General’s Office, seeking GH₵15 million in compensation for alleged torture, false arrest, assault, battery, negligence, and violations of her fundamental human rights.
The breakdown of the compensation includes GH₵6 million for human rights violations, GH₵3 million for false arrest, GH₵3 million for negligence, and another GH₵3 million for breaches of fundamental rights, including tortious acts allegedly committed against her.

Allegations of brutality during interrogation
Ms. Kumah accuses Detective Corporal Clement Suputor, stationed at the Community 8 Police Station, of cutting off part of her right ear during an interrogation. She further alleges that the officer offered her marijuana to alleviate the excruciating pain caused by the injury.
The victim is seeking several court declarations, including that her arrest without cause or legal counsel violated her fundamental rights.
She also seeks declarations that the physical harm, forced confession, and prolonged interrogation she endured were breaches of her dignity and protection from inhumane treatment and torture.

Details of the incident
According to the lawsuit, Ms. Kumah accompanied a male friend to the Community 1 Police Station but was arrested upon arrival without being informed of the reason or her right to legal counsel. She was subsequently transferred to the Community 8 Police Station, where she was interrogated without a lawyer present.
Ms. Kumah claims that during questioning about a person of interest, Detective Corporal Suputor, without provocation, used a metal implement to sever a portion of her right ear.
Despite her profuse bleeding, the officer allegedly delayed taking her to the hospital and failed to preserve the severed portion of her ear.

Further allegations
Ms. Kumah states that after receiving medical attention at the Community 2 Police Clinic, where it was discovered she was pregnant, she was returned to the station for continued interrogation.
She alleges that Corporal Suputor accused her of involvement in an armed robbery, threatened further harm, and coerced her into signing a confession.
The next day, Corporal Suputor charged her with conspiracy to commit crime, robbery, and possession of stolen property. Despite her injuries, she was granted bail and later appeared in court on March 8.

Challenges in accessing medical records
The lawsuit details significant delays in obtaining her medical records. Despite testing positive for pregnancy at the Police Hospital, obtaining confirmation and records required numerous meetings, letters, and calls involving various police officers.

Claims of malicious prosecution
Ms. Kumah further alleges that she was subjected to an identification parade and taken to the crime scene, where security personnel failed to identify her as one of the robbers.
She contends that the baseless prosecution against her amounts to malicious prosecution and negligence by the Ghana Police Service.

Reliefs sought
Ms. Kumah seeks compensation for the alleged violations of her rights and a declaration that the Ghana Police Service is vicariously liable for the actions of Detective Corporal Suputor. She also seeks justice for the assault and the inhumane treatment she endured.
The case highlights serious allegations of police misconduct, raising concerns about accountability and the treatment of individuals in custody.

By Selorm Gborbidzi, Accra