High Court awards retired police officer Slowe GY$1 million for wrongful arrest

In a judgement delivered on August 24, Mr Hughes said Justice Pierre found that Mr Slowe’s constitutional right to personal liberty, protected by Article 139 of Guyana’s Constitution, had been infringed when officers restrained him at the Magistrates’ Court despite his attendance pursuant to a court summons and despite objections that there was no lawful basis for his arrest.

The State admitted liability for assault, battery and false imprisonment, Mr Hughes also said.

He said the High Court held that although the restraint lasted approximately ten minutes, the circumstances were serious.

Mr Slowe was attending court in response to a summons in the very matter for which officers sought to arrest him.

The lawyer said the restraint continued even after attorneys-at-law informed the officers that the arrest was unlawful.

“The incident occurred in public view and was recorded and later disseminated through traditional and social media,” said Mr Hughes who also appeared with attorney Kiswana Jefford.

“The Court underscored the importance of constitutional protections against arbitrary arrest and detention and the need to vindicate those rights where they are infringed,” he said.

The Court entered judgement in favour of Mr. Slowe in the sum of G$1,000,000 and awarded costs of G$250,000.

This decision reaffirms the fundamental constitutional principle that no person may be deprived of liberty except in accordance with the law, and that public authorities will be held accountable where those rights are violated.