The 13 defendants detained during the demonstration at the Tamale District Court on August 28 have been requested for quick and unconditional release by chiefs and opinion leaders in the Tamale Metropolitan Area on behalf of the Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.
They made the call during a meeting between the chiefs and the IGP delegation at the Northern Regional Police Headquarters in Tamale.
In the early hours of Monday, police opened fire on demonstrators before the Tamale District Court, injuring a number of individuals.
The demonstrators were outspoken because they believed Alhaji Osman, a dealer in illegal drugs, would be discharged by the court against their wishes.
People therefore gathered at the premises of the Tamale District Court to protest, which led to some scuffles between them and the police, leading to the shooting incident.
13 people were arrested after the incident and have been remanded for 2 weeks, of which, the chiefs and leaders of Dagbon are calling for their immediate and unconditional release in order to avoid any further disturbances or escalations in the area.
The chiefs also accused the police of always using live ammunition to disperse people in Tamale, which has led to the death of several people in the past, calling on them to be professional in their dealings with civilians in order to ensure peace and stability within Tamale and beyond.
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has strongly denounced the unauthorized invasion of the Tamale District Court premises by certain local residents.
The Association congratulated the Ghana Police Service for their prompt action with reinforcement, which saved the properties and lives of the Magistrates, Court Officials, Lawyers, Litigants, and other court users during the tragic occurrence.
In a statement, JUSAG urged the Ghana Police Service to deal decisively with the thirteen (13) individuals apprehended at the event in compliance with the law, while efforts are made to apprehend the remaining 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 the President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana, Mr. Samuel Affotey Otu said.
