A young suspected thief has just narrowly escaped mob justice at Tema Community 25, after Ghana Police Service personnel swooped to his rescue.
In a video that has since gone viral on social media, residents were seen wielding various weapons in an attempt to beat the suspect as punishment. In front of a house, which was allegedly the target of the theft, a group of residents stood in anticipation, determined to catch the suspect as soon as possible. There were claims that the house belonged to a military officer, which further heightened tensions.
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Shortly after, the police managed to escort the suspected thief into their vehicle. However, angry residents attempted to pull him out, seemingly intent on lynching him. The mob pursued the police vehicle until it was no longer within their reach.
Updates on the suspect’s case and details regarding the alleged theft are yet to be disclosed.
Why mob justice is forbidden in Ghana
Mob justice is considered a crime under Ghana’s Criminal Code of 1960 (Act 29). It involves the infliction of violence on an alleged criminal, often resulting in severe harm or death.
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Mob violence in Ghana is frequently meted out to petty criminals and socially marginalised individuals, including members of the LGBT+ community, sex workers, and those deemed to be engaging in ‘social vices’.
According to Ghana’s Criminal Code of 1960 (Act 29), any form of unjustifiable murder or battery is punishable by law, which extends to acts of mob justice.