Sekondi: The Sekondi Court has mandated the Ghana Police Service to compensate the family of Joseph Entsie, a 53-year-old taxi driver from Fijai, with GH?2 million following his death in police custody.
According to Ghana Web, Entsie was arrested on December 25, 2021, at the Effia-Nkwanta Nurses’ Quarters checkpoint for alleged drunk driving and reportedly assaulting a police officer. He was subsequently detained at the Sekondi Police Station, where he was later declared dead. Initially, police officials claimed that Entsie had taken his own life in the cell. However, this account was contested, leading to a ruling in November 2022 by the Commercial Division of the Sekondi High Court. Presided over by Justice Sedina Agbemava, the court concluded that Entsie was killed by police officers, contradicting the initial suicide claim.
Following this ruling, the family pursued further legal action against the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney General, seeking GH?5 million in compensation. In its final judgment delivered on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the court ordered the police to pay GH?2 million as general compensation to the family. Additionally, it held the police liable for all mortuary bills from the date of Entsie’s death until his burial and directed the immediate release of his body to the family for interment.
While the court dismissed the family’s GH?80,000 claim for anticipatory funeral expenses, it awarded GH?210,000 in special damages. Furthermore, the police were instructed to pay a daily compensation of GH?70 for each of the 10 days Entsie was in custody. The court also mandated the return of Entsie’s personal items, including a Techno mobile phone, GH?236.20 in cash, a T-shirt, and a pair of jeans.
Family lawyer Ebo Donkor expressed satisfaction with the ruling during an appearance on Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show, stating that the family has no plans to appeal. “The court made it clear that the defendant is fully liable for the mortuary bills from the date of death to burial and must release the body immediately for burial. The GH?80,000 funeral claim was described as anticipatory and therefore rejected, but the family has been awarded GH?2 million in compensation, GH?210,000 in special damages, daily compensation, and the return of the deceased’s belongings. The family is satisfied with the judgment and does not intend to file an appeal,” he added.