Democracy Hub case: We feed accused persons with “Papaye” — prosecution 

A claim that the police have been failing to provide food to members of the Democracy Hub pressure group, that participated in a a street protest at the weekend and were arrested and detained by the police has been rejected in court.

In court on Thursday, the prosecution in the trial of 13 members of the Democracy Hub pressure group rejected the claim of not feeding the suspects. 

Opposing arguments for bail in court on Thursday [Sept 26, 2024] the prosecution, led by Nana Akosua Kusi told the court that the police go to the extent of buying the accused person meals from Papaye.  

“The accused persons are being fed, the police go to the extent of buying them Papaye,” the state attorney told the court presided over by Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah. 

This was corroborated by Superintendent of Police, Mr Sylvester Asare, who is the Head of Legal at the Ghana Police Service who told the court that he supervised the investigative team.

“When it comes to feeding, budget has been made for feeding. And I personally supervised the distribution of the food,” he added. 

But the defence counsel maintained that their clients were being starved by the police.

Meanwhile, the court has remanded the 13 accused persons who have pleaded not guilty to six counts of Conspiracy; unlawful assembly; causing unlawful damage; offensive conduct conducive to the breach of peace, assault on public officer, defacement of public property.

The leader of the Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, is facing an additional charge of stealing and has since pleaded not guilty. 

The case has been adjourned to October 8 this year.

Read also: Democracy Hub case: Oliver Barker-Vormawor charged with stealing

Remanding the accused person, the court ordered the police to ensure that the accused persons were fed twice daily with adequate medical facilities.