Modern Ghana’s Ajarfor sues National Security Coordinator, IGP

Editor of online news portal, Modern Ghana, Emmanuel Ajarfor, has sued the National Security Coordinator, Joshua Kyeremeh; the Inspector General of Police, David Asante Appeatu; and the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo.

The suit, which has been filed at the Human Rights Division of the High Court, avers that Mr. Ajarfor’s rights to personal liberty, a fair trial and human dignity were violated by the conduct of the officials of National Security when they arrested him recently.

His lawyers want the court to seek an order for the Attorney General to prosecute the officers who tortured Mr. Ajarfor as well as order the release of all items seized from him.

The lawyers also want Ajarfor to be compensated.

Mr. Ajarfor was arrested from his office together with one of his reporters, Emmanuel Britwum over an opinion piece published by the website.

He later told the media that he was tortured during the interrogation.

While Britwum was released the day after the arrest, Ajarfor was detained until Saturday when he was released.

Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri later alleged that while in custody, they were subjected to physical abuse and torture.

Several Civil Society Organizations and individuals criticized the National Security Agency over the incident especially as it adds to the tall list of allegations of torture levelled against the agency by other suspects in different cases.

But Mr. Britwum, through his lawyer, denied claims that he had been tortured.

In a statement, he said, he has not elected anyone to speak on his behalf on the matter.

“It is the case of my client that some attempts have been made in the media to draw into the raging debate over an alleged unlawful arrest and torture-laden interrogation of Mr. Ajafor by the National Security,” the statement said.

Samson Lardi Ayenini, who was lawyer for the two, said he was surprised at the turn of events. He stated that Emmanuel Britwum was not being forthright with his narration as he had earlier explicitly confirmed that he was tortured.

The two were put before court but the State subsequently withdrew the charges proffered against them.