Renowned human rights lawyer, Martin Kpebu, has strongly condemned the Ghana Police Service for unlawfully holding protesters beyond the constitutional 48-hour limit without being arraigned, referring to Ghana as a “banana republic” where laws are not properly upheld.

Speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Mr. Kpebu expressed deep concern over reports that some of the protesters were deprived of food and water while in custody. “It’s the responsibility of the police to provide food to those in their custody. There’s a document called Service Instructions that governs police conduct. If they don’t want to provide food, they should grant bail. But leaving detainees hungry is simply unacceptable,” Kpebu asserted.

He noted that these actions signal a breakdown in the enforcement of the rule of law, tarnishing Ghana’s image as a democratic state.

“We are operating like a banana republic. The constitution is clear, but the police are behaving as though no laws exist,” he added.

Mr. Kpebu was also critical of the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, holding Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akuffo Dampare and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) accountable.

“IGP Dampare and the CID board have to take responsibility. The 48-hour rule is non-negotiable. Yet, the police continue to violate it in order to punish these young protesters,” Kpebu said.

He warned that such actions could lead to a loss of public trust in the police force if they continue unchecked.

“This is not just about these protesters. It’s a broader issue. If the police can violate these rights now, it can happen to anyone. We must not allow the police to take the law into their own hands,” Kpebu cautioned.

The human rights lawyer concluded by calling for changes within the police service and an end to what he described as “power plays” that infringe on basic rights. “The law must be upheld, no matter who is involved. If the police want to win, they should do so in court, not by unlawfully holding people to teach them a lesson.”