In a recent legal development, an Accra High Court has struck out an injunction filed by the Ghana Police Service against the organizers of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest. The police had sought an injunction against the protest, which was organized by Democracy Hub, citing concerns about public order and safety.
The injunction application had been filed by the police and served by lawyers of Democracy Hub, Atuguba & Associates, on September 19, according to the police. However, the organizers, Democracy Hub, denied receiving the service of the court processes, leading to a dispute between the police and the organizers.
This dispute resulted in the police taking action on the first day of the three-day protest, as they deemed those gathered at the converging point, the 37 Lorry Station, to be in defiance of their orders. Subsequently, some participants were arrested but were later released on the same day, Thursday, September 21. The protest continued on Friday and Saturday without further interruptions.
The Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Edward Twum, struck out the police’s injunction application after it was withdrawn by the police. Justice Twum noted that while the court processes were indeed served on the solicitors of the respondent (Democracy Hub), there was no proof of service to Benjamin Akuffo Darko, the respondent in the matter.
Justice Twum further indicated that since there was no court order to enforce the injunction, and the protest had already taken place, the application had become moot and was thus struck out.
This legal development signifies the conclusion of the legal dispute surrounding the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest, allowing the organizers and participants to continue their advocacy efforts without legal constraints.