In response to recent online publications about his arrest during Supreme Court proceedings in November 2023, Assistant Commissioner of Police and lawyer Akolgo Yakubu Ayamga issued a detailed rejoinder.

Ayamga's account challenges the accuracy of media reports surrounding his arrest and provides nuanced details.

The incident occurred on November 14, 2023, following Ayamga's impassioned presentation before the Supreme Court.

According to Ayamga, Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo interrupted him, stating he was shouting, leading to an order to resume his seat. Disagreement escalated after offensive remarks from the Chief Justice, resulting in Ayamga's arrest.

In his rejoinder, Ayamga emphasizes that the arrest was not related to his disagreement with the Court's judgment, as initially reported. He argues that a respectful disagreement with a judge's off-judgment remark should not lead to arrest.

Ayamga claims his arrest was influenced by the Chief Justice's rush of anger, prejudice, and malice, constituting an abuse of judicial power.

"Presumptions aside, a respectful and fearless disagreement with off judgment remark of a judge is not a criminal offence to trigger arrest and detention. The arrest was unconscionable, irrational, unfair and without due process from the perspective of a reasonable, fair-minded and informed independent person.

"The arrest was merely influenced by a rush of anger, prejudice and malice aforethought which constitute impropriety or abuse of prestige judicial power by the Chief Justice," the prosecutor stated in his rejoinder.

In response to the alleged abuse of power, Ayamga has filed a complaint with the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the incident and the purported cover-up by public officers.

Read the rejoinder below:

REJOINDER-ARRESTDownload