A high-profile case is unfolding in Ghana’s judicial system, involving Jacob Kwamina Amuah, a former coordinator of the Unified Petroleum Pricing Fund (UPPF) at the National Petroleum Authority (NPA). Amuah, who is currently standing trial for alleged extortion and money laundering amounting to over GH₵280 million, has filed a separate civil suit at the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court.
Allegations of Unlawful Detention and Extortion
In his suit, Amuah alleges that his constitutional rights were violated during his arrest and detention. He claims that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) detained him for more than 48 hours before handing him over to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), which he believes is unconstitutional. Amuah further alleges that he was denied food, water, and access to independent counsel while in custody, and was pressured into giving pre-arranged statements.
Claims Against Lawyer and Associate
Amuah also accuses his chosen lawyer, Kwabena Adjei-Boahene, and the lawyer’s associate, Edgar Asamoah Boateng, of conspiring with state officials to orchestrate his arrest and detention. He claims that the duo extorted money from him, promising to provide proper legal counsel, which they failed to deliver.
Relief Sought
In his suit, Amuah is seeking several reliefs, including:
– Declaration of Unconstitutional Detention: A declaration that his arrest and detention were unconstitutional.
– Inadmissibility of Statements: An order rendering all statements obtained during his detention inadmissible in the ongoing criminal trial.
– Damages for Human Rights Violations: General, compensatory, and punitive damages for breach of his rights and psychological trauma.
– Costs of Legal Representation: Costs of legal representation and any other reliefs deemed fit by the court.
The High Court has yet to fix a date for hearing Amuah’s case.