“Our criminal justice system treats suspects like slaves.”

Felicity Nelson has expressed her deep dissatisfaction with Ghana’s criminal justice system

Felicity Nelson, one of the protesters at the #ReOccupyJulorbiHouse and #StopGalamseyNow protests, has expressed her deep dissatisfaction with Ghana’s criminal justice system, describing it as a failed institution that treats suspects like slaves.

One may recall the recent protests on September 21-23, 2024, organized by Democracy Hub in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), which resulted in several arrests by the police.

In an interview on Accra-based JoyNews on October 12, 2024, Felicity Nelson, a Democracy Hub member who suffered an asthma attack while in police custody, revealed that her phone was confiscated by the police and she was denied access to her family .

“I was using my phone when the police took it from me. The police took me away and they didn’t inform me that I was arrested. It was only when I arrived at the police station that they informed me that I was arrested for illegal assembly.

“I was refused calls and the police kept my phone for ten days. I told them I had asthma and needed to contact my family, but they claimed they didn’t have my phone.

“I went into the cell and had an asthma attack that night,” she said.

Felicity further explained that after the asthma attack, the police informed the attending doctor that they could not afford to purchase an inhaler for her which cost GH¢140.

“I had an asthma attack and they took me to the police hospital. When I arrived, the doctor explained that I needed an inhaler, but the police officer accompanying me said he didn’t have the money. That’s why I didn’t do it.” They were given the inhaler but administered another treatment which cost GH¢70.”

She mentioned that after her family learned of her location, her sister visited the station several times and tried to leave her inhaler behind, but the police refused to accept it.

“When my family found out that I was at Cantonments police station, my sister came three times and tried to leave my inhaler behind but the police told her that I was not present,” she added.

JHM/MA

Watch the video below:

“Our criminal justice system treats suspects like slaves.”

Felicity Nelson tells of her almost 17-day ordeal in the hands of the Ghanaian police. #NewsFile pic.twitter.com/asQZvtzEtD

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) October 12, 2024