Tema police officer accused of brutality promoted despite concerns of pending justice

A disturbing case of alleged police brutality that shocked the public nearly a year ago has resurfaced with new developments, raising serious concerns about accountability within the justice system.

In 2024, Police Officer Clement Suputour, then stationed at the Tema Community 8 Police Station, was accused of subjecting a young woman, Judith Yaa Kuma, to severe torture during an interrogation.

The incident left the victim, who was reportedly pregnant at the time, with part of her ear clipped off.

According to the victim’s account, she had visited the police station to check on her boyfriend, who had been arrested on suspicion of armed robbery.

Rather than being treated as a visitor, she was accused of being an accomplice.

The court later dismissed the allegations against her, describing them as false and mischievous.

During interrogation, Suputour allegedly used a paper clipper to torture Yaa Kuma in an attempt to extract a confession, a violent act that left her permanently disfigured.

The incident drew public outrage when it was exposed by Crime Check TV, a civil society watchdog that has been documenting human rights abuses.

In response, then-Inspector General of Police Dr. George Akuffo Dampare dispatched a high-powered delegation to visit the victim’s family, apologize on behalf of the Ghana Police Service, and assure the public that the officer in question would face disciplinary action.

However, fresh checks have revealed that rather than being punished, Officer Suputour has since been promoted and is now serving at the Tema Regional Headquarters.