The High Court has ordered the resumption of trial proceedings in the case involving journalist Latif Iddrisu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and the Attorney-General after rejecting a fresh request by the State to delay the matter for further settlement talks.
The decision marks a significant turning point in the long-running legal battle, with the court signalling its determination to move the case forward despite ongoing discussions aimed at resolving it outside the courtroom.
The State had previously informed the court in February 2026 that efforts were underway to compensate Mr. Iddrisu and reach an amicable settlement. Based on that assurance, the court granted multiple adjournments to allow consultations among the parties.
However, when prosecutors returned seeking an additional six-week extension to continue negotiations, trial judge Justice Eudora Christina Dadson declined the request.
In her ruling, Justice Dadson noted that while the court remained open to an out-of-court settlement, the case had already experienced considerable delays and little progress had been made since the State first announced its intention to resolve the matter.
She therefore directed that the trial continue, while allowing the parties the option of presenting any future settlement agreement for the court’s approval should negotiations succeed.
Following the ruling, cross-examination of the first defence witness resumed, effectively returning the case to active litigation.
Sources close to the proceedings indicated that only one meeting has taken place between representatives of the Attorney-General’s Office, the Office of the IGP, counsel for Mr. Iddrisu, and the journalist himself since settlement discussions were announced earlier this year.
The case stems from an incident in which Mr. Iddrisu was allegedly assaulted by police officers while covering a public demonstration. Medical reports presented before the court indicate that he suffered serious injuries, including a fractured skull, and has undergone continuing medical treatment in the United States.
The State’s earlier indication that it intended to compensate the journalist was welcomed by sections of the media community, including the Ghana Journalists Association, which has closely followed the matter.
Over the years, the case has become one of Ghana’s most prominent legal disputes involving alleged attacks on journalists and has frequently been cited by media freedom advocates as a test of accountability and protection for media practitioners.
The matter has been adjourned to July 14 and July 16, when cross-examination is expected to continue as the trial progresses.
