After eight years of litigation, the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) have initiated steps to compensate JoyNews journalist Latif Iddrisu, who was assaulted by police in March 2018 while covering a protest outside the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters in Accra.
On 17 February 2026, Senior State Attorney Nancynita Twumasi Asiamah informed the court that both the Attorney-General’s Department and the IGP’s office had committed to compensating the journalist in an effort to bring closure to the long-running case. She indicated that a defence witness scheduled for cross-examination did not appear due to progress made in settlement discussions between the two state institutions.
Counsel for Iddrisu, Samson Lardy Anyenini Esq., welcomed the development but requested that the court allow trial proceedings and settlement negotiations to run concurrently. He argued that this approach would safeguard against delays should the parties fail to agree on settlement terms.
Presiding judge Her Ladyship Eudora Christina Dadson granted a one-month adjournment to enable the parties to present settlement terms. The case was adjourned to 2 April 2026. The court indicated that if the defence does not present settlement terms by that date, the trial will proceed.
The decision by the office of IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno represents a shift from the position taken by his predecessor, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, who had rejected a proposed settlement advanced by the former Attorney-General under the previous administration.
Following the 2018 assault, the Ghana Police Service publicly assured that compensation would be provided, but that assurance was later withdrawn. Iddrisu and The Multimedia Group subsequently filed a civil suit against the IGP and the State, seeking damages.
The defence formally opened its case on 27 January 2026 at the Family Court in Accra. The proceedings have been marked by repeated adjournments, changes in presiding judges and other procedural delays. By early 2026, four different judges had presided over the trial at various stages. The case has also experienced postponements due to the absence of state attorneys and police witnesses, despite previously agreed hearing dates.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) welcomes the commitment to compensate the journalist. The MFWA also calls for the prosecution of perpetrators of attacks on journalists to serve as a deterrent and urge authorities to ensure that justice is served promptly in cases involving violations of press freedom and the safety of journalists.
