‘You didn’t suffer any injury’ - State attorney tells assaulted journalist Latif Iddrisu

A Senior State Attorney has questioned the injuries of journalist Latif Iddrisu. This comes after his claims of assault by Ghana Police officers on March 27, 2018.

During cross-examination at the High Court, State Attorney Nancynetta Twumasi Asiamah suggested Latif may not have been injured. She implied that his treatment in California was a tactic to strengthen his case.

“You went on a fishing expedition,” she said about his medical visits. These included Loma Linda University Medical Centre and Southern California Brain Centre.

Latif rejected these claims as false. He explained that he saw little improvement after nearly two years of treatment in Ghana. He endured severe pain while working at Multimedia, facing repeated relapses. “I traveled abroad for medical attention due to lack of improvement,” he stated.

He maintained that he was assaulted by police officers and suffered a fractured skull.

The State Attorney challenged Latif’s lack of photographic evidence for his injuries. In response, Latif said they anticipated police denial and requested CCTV footage from CID Headquarters. The police refused to release it, claiming their cameras did not capture the incident.

“I put it to you that no police officer assaulted you,” the State Attorney asserted again.

Latif called this assertion “insensitive.” He told the court, “It is very insensitive to suggest no officer assaulted me.” He provided an emotional account of the alleged assault and stated, “I am the one who suffered the beatings.”

“The medical records will tell the story,” he emphasized. They document his skull fracture, brain injury, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.

In another twist, the State Attorney theorized that Latif could have injured himself between leaving CID Headquarters and arriving at work. Latif denied this claim outright and reiterated that police officers caused his injury.

The State Attorney argued that physicians based their conclusions solely on Latif's narrative.

Latif countered, saying doctors conduct thorough investigations before reaching conclusions. “Medical professionals don’t take complaints at face value,” he added.

Latif returned from the U.S. in February after intensive treatment following a relapse. He became emotional during cross-examination but remained composed while answering questions.

He revealed in court that he now owes Loma Linda University Medical Centre over $25,000 for recent treatment.

Latif has been in the witness box for three years amid ongoing cross-examination in this lengthy trial. The case is set to return to court on June 12, 2025.