A police officer with the Ghana Police Service, Clement Suputour, who beat and slashed part of the ear of an innocent pregnant young lady has been promoted to higher ranks Ghana Police Service.
This according to Crime Check Foundation, an advocacy and philanthropic non-governmental organization (NGO)led by Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng.
“It is very shocking to that Clement Suputour is walking as a free let alone to even talk of promotion. The Pregnant young lady[Judith Yaa Kumah] was the police station to visit her boyfriend who was arrested. She was later took in for questioning and beaten to pulp by Suputour, slashing part of the ears” Mr Akwarteng lamented.
Mr Kwarteng who was visibly disappointed in the called the service and President of Ghana not to tarnish the human rights reputation of the country.
The unfortunate incident happened last year February 29, 2024, when Kumah was arrested on when she went to the Community One Police Station to visit her boyfriend, who had been arrested but was herself detained.
She was then transferred to the Community Eight Police Station, where Corporal Clement Suputour allegedly attempted to forcibly extract a confession from her.
Despite not being informed of the reason for her arrest or her right to a lawyer, she was questioned about the whereabouts of an individual involved in a crime, which she denied knowing.
During the interrogation, Suputour allegedly cut off the upper part of Judith’s right ear using a metal object.
However, instead of receiving medical care, she was offered marijuana by the officer to alleviate her pain, which she rejected.
After being ordered by a senior officer, Suputour took Judith to the Community Two Police Clinic, which lacked the necessary medical equipment to treat her injuries.
The severed part of her ear was reportedly not kept and has since gone missing.
At the clinic, it was also discovered that Judith was pregnant, but Suputour showed no concern for her condition and instead returned her to the police station for further interrogation.
During her continued detention, Kumah was accused of being involved in a car robbery and was allegedly identified as a woman in CCTV footage related to the robbery.
Suputour then coerced her into signing a confession and threatened to cut off her other ear if she did not comply.
Despite the allegation, when taken to the crime scene, security officers did not identify her, nor was she recognized during an identification parade.
Kumah was eventually charged, but the prosecution failed to present the CCTV footage as evidence in court, leading to her discharge.
Judith Yaa Kumah , has since has filed a lawsuit seeking GH¢15 million in damages for human rights violations.
Her lawyer, Mr Andrew Khartey, has sued the Ghana Police Service (GPS), Corporal Clement Suputour (the officer involved), and the Attorney General (AG) as the legal representative of the government.
Kumah is seeking GH¢6 million for human rights violations committed by the GPS and its employees, plus an additional GH¢3 million for false arrest, assault, and battery.
She is also claiming GH¢3 million for negligence by the GPS and another GH¢3 million for violations of her fundamental rights and the torturous acts she suffered.