Thirteen people have been arrested in connection with a shooting incident at the Tamale District Court premises on Monday, August 28, 2023.
The several gunshots fired resulted in the damage of properties and injuries to a police officer and other persons at the court premises.
Reports indicate that the rifle belonging to a police officer on duty at the court was snatched from him by a crowd that besieged the court over a case involving some alleged illicit drug peddlers.
It said the scuffle was caused by some residents claiming the police would not be able to deal with the alleged drug peddlers whose activities are allegedly fueling crimes in the area.
The incident led to cordoning off of the court premises, while the street in front of the court was temporarily blocked to vehicular and human movement, as police took steps to maintain law and order.
One of the victims was rushed to the Tamale Regional Hospital, while the 13 people arrested by the police for their involvement in the attack on the court, are being investigated.
JUSAG Condemns Attack
Meanwhile, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has condemned the attack.
The Association, in a statement signed by its President, Samuel Afotey Otu, described the attack as barbaric and called for the arrest of all the perpetrators.
JUSAG also commended the police for arresting some 13 people linked with the crime, and called for concerted efforts in arresting other suspects on the run.
“We also wish to commend the Ghana Police Service for their swift intervention with reinforcement that saved the properties and lives of the Magistrates, Court Officials, Lawyers, Litigants and other court users during the sad event,” it said.
“Whilst we send our well wishes to the injured police officer and other innocent victims, we wish to call on the Ghana Police Service to deal decisively with the thirteen (13) suspects arrested during the event in accordance with the law whilst efforts are made to apprehend the other suspects on the run,” the statement said.
It called on the Judicial Service and the security services to intensify efforts to ensure optimum safety and security of all officers of the court before justice administration resumes at the court.
“The general public is reminded that the judiciary exists for all citizens, and that justice is administered in accordance with the law irrespective of the persons involved. All citizens owe it a duty to support our courts to operate in an atmosphere free of all forms of intimidation and violence,” it added.
“We call on the revered chiefs, religious leaders, political leadership and the opinion leaders of Tamale and the Northern Region to support the Judiciary and the security services to serve the people to the best of their abilities,” the statement stressed.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak