Human Rights lawyer and activist, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor has raised alarm over what he describes as an unlawful attempt to deport his client, Ms. Aminata Bangoura, from Ghana without due process.
In a post shared this morning, Barker-Vormawor said at about 7am, his client was removed from the Cantonments Police Station and transported to the Kotoka International Airport for deportation to Guinea.
According to him, the move was done without any court order.
> “At 7am, my client Aminata Bangoura was removed from Cantonments police station and sent to Airport; to deport her. Without any court order,” he stated.
The lawyer further disclosed that Ms. Bangoura, in a bid to resist the deportation, has locked herself in a toilet facility at the Airport and is demanding that her lawyer be present before any action is taken.
Barker-Vormawor said he has been at the Interpol office in Accra since morning seeking audience with the Director but has not been granted access.
> “She has since locked herself in the toilet at the Airport and is demanding that her lawyer be present. I have been at Interpol since morning asking to meet the director without audience,” he said.
He questioned Ghana’s commitment to rule of law and human rights obligations, stating that he has already contacted European authorities regarding the attempted deportation of a European citizen to Guinea without due process.
The lawyer revealed that his client fears for her life, citing her relationship with Brigadier General Amara Camara as the basis for the threat.
> “The person insists her life is in danger; based on her relationship with Brigadier General Amara Camara. What would prevent us from according the person the minimum due process? Does any of our human rights obligations both domestic and international mean anything to us?” Barker-Vormawor quizzed.
He added: “Are we serious as a country. I have contacted European authorities over this attempted deportation of a European Citizen to Guinea, without due process.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service are yet to officially comment on the matter.
GhanaCrimeReport.com will follow up for official response from Interpol Ghana and the Ghana Immigration Service.
Alexander Afriyie, supervising editor, ghanacrimereport.com and ghanatalk.com