In a dramatic turn of events, an Accra High Court presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, has issued arrest warrants for the Director General and the Director General in charge of the Legal and Prosecution Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service. The orders were issued following a contempt application by Sureword Global Outreach in a dispute involving the prolonged detention of a vehicle rented out by its subsidiary, Sure Rental.
The legal proceedings stem from an incident on November 14, 2023, where a customer, Noagbe Julius, rented a Toyota Fortuner from Sure Rental and was later apprehended by the police for allegedly using the vehicle to transport illicit drugs. Following the arrest, the CID impounded the vehicle, a move contested by Sureword Global Outreach. The company argues that the vehicle, being a mere tool rented out, should not be held as it is not necessary for ongoing investigations or as evidence in court.
Despite a previous court order demanding the appearance of the CID officials to address the matter, they failed to show up in court, prompting the issuance of the bench warrant. The court highlighted the importance of respecting the judiciary's authority, emphasizing that no one is above the law.
The case, which has caught the public's eye due to its implications on property rights and police accountability, has been adjourned to May 8, 2024. Sureword Global Outreach seeks the release of the vehicle to continue its business operations, arguing that the continued detention without justification infringes on its commercial rights and causes significant operational disruptions.