The leader of the Alliance for the Restoration of Civil Rights, William Kofi Yirenkyi, has filed a landmark malicious prosecution lawsuit against two officers of the Ghana Police Service.

The suit, filed at the High Court of Justice in Accra on 26 May 2025, names Detective Corporal (D/C) Inspector Mathias Awudi and D/C Inspector Richard Ackumey, both from the Accra Regional Police Command, as defendants.

Yirenkyi accuses the officers of wrongful arrest, unlawful detention, and initiating a baseless prosecution against him—actions he alleges were motivated by personal vendetta.

According to the court statement of claim, the dispute traces back to 30 December 2023, when Yirenkyi reported an assault against him at the Cantonments Police Station.

Dissatisfied with the initial police investigations, he escalated the complaint to the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander in January 2024. The investigation was then assigned to D/C Inspector Awudi.

Despite Yirenkyi’s continuous follow-ups and cooperation, the case saw no substantial progress for nearly eleven months. On 13 November 2024, after inquiring about the status of the case, Yirenkyi claims that D/C Inspector Awudi reacted angrily, leading to his sudden arrest and detention for three days without reasonable cause.

Subsequently, on 15 November 2024, he was arraigned at the Gbese District Court on charges of disturbing the peace in a public place under Section 298 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29).

However, the prosecution, led by D/C Inspector Ackumey, allegedly failed to establish any credible evidence, resulting in Yirenkyi’s discharge by the court for lack of reasonable and probable cause.

The plaintiff alleges that the defendants abused their authority by fabricating charges to silence him and retaliate against his inquiries, causing him reputational damage, emotional distress, and financial loss.

The claim includes special damages amounting to GH¢40,000, covering legal fees of GH¢20,000 and lost income during detention.

Yirenkyi also seeks a formal declaration of malicious prosecution, general damages, legal costs, and any other relief the court deems just.

The writ of summons was issued by Yirenkyi’s legal counsel, Martin L. Kpebu of Black Star Legal Services, with service directed to the defendants.

According to the court documents, the defendants have been given eight days from service to file their appearance or risk judgment by default.

AM/KA