Latif Iddrisu vrs IGP trial : Trial to continue today 8 years after life-threatening assault on the journalist
The trial involving Multimedia journalist Latif Iddrisu and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is set to continue today at a family court in Accra, eight years after the journalist suffered a life-threatening assault at the hands of police officers.
The case, which has faced prolonged delays, is now under the jurisdiction of His Lordship Abass Abubakari Adams, the third judge to oversee the proceedings. Latif Iddrisu was severely beaten while covering a protest at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service in March 2017. The attack resulted in a fractured skull after he was struck in the head with the butt of a gun.
Despite initial assurances from the police administration that they would compensate him for his injuries, the promise was not fulfilled. This led Iddrisu and his employer, the Multimedia Group Limited, to pursue legal action in an effort to obtain justice. Over the past eight years, the journalist has undergone extensive medical treatment in California, USA, while also pushing for accountability through the courts.
The police administration has claimed that the CCTV cameras at the CID headquarters did not capture the assault. However, the journalist and his supporters remain determined to hold those responsible accountable. The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has also expressed concerns over the slow pace of justice and has warned that if significant progress is not made in the case, they will take the matter to the ECOWAS Court.
Beyond the legal battle, the injuries sustained by Iddrisu have had a lasting impact on both his professional career and personal life. His colleagues and close associates have reported that the attack significantly altered his ability to work as a journalist.
As the trial resumes, Senior State Attorney Nancynetta Twumasi Asiamah is expected to cross-examine Iddrisu. The case has attracted significant public attention, with many advocating for greater protection of journalists and holding security personnel accountable for abuses of power. The outcome of the trial is expected to set an important precedent for press freedom and police accountability in Ghana.
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