The Accra Circuit Court has commenced criminal proceedings against a suspect accused of assaulting broadcast journalist Latif Iddrisu in May 2025.
On 27 May 2025, Iddrisu was reporting live from the premises of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra, where supporters of the main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had gathered to protest the arrest of the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
During the assignment, Iddrisu reporting live for Joy News, a member of the Multimedia Group, was confronted by security personnel deployed at the scene, who seized his mobile phone and compelled him to delete recorded footage. Subsequently, he was allegedly shoved and harassed by a group of alleged NPP supporters dissatisfied with his coverage. According to a statement by JoyNews, Iddrisu was struck on the head. In a related incident, a pebble and a rubber band were reportedly used as projectiles against him.
On 7 June 2025, nearly two weeks after the incident, police arrested a suspect identified as Theophilus Thompson. He assisted with investigations and was arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court on 18 February 2026. Police have indicated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend additional individuals involved in the assault. Four suspects are reportedly still at large.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) welcomes the commencement of the trial and urges the Court to ensure that the case is handled impartially and expeditiously. The MFWA also calls on the police to intensify efforts to arrest the remaining suspects. The Foundation once again condemns the harassment and assault of the journalist and reiterates the obligation of state authorities to safeguard press freedom and freedom of expression.
