Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, requesting disciplinary action against a police officer, Constable Forson, for alleged assault.
In a petition dated May 5, the Minority Leader accused the officer of assaulting him at the entrance of Parliament House during the ‘Save the Judiciary’ demonstration.
He stated:
“To address this incident and to correct misleading narratives circulating in the public domain, I have issued a public statement detailing the events as they occurred. I rely on the said statement, which is hereby attached for your information and further action.”
Background
The petition follows a viral video showing a heated confrontation between the lawmaker and the police officer at Parliament House during the May 5 demonstration. The footage appears to show the Minority Leader striking the officer on the head twice with a handkerchief while being restrained by his supporters.
In a subsequent statement, Mr. Afenyo-Markin accused the officer of unprovoked assault.
“Upon our arrival at Parliament House, the National Organiser and other party leaders had already been granted access. The Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Patricia Appiagyei, and I were then invited by the party’s Communications Director, Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, to proceed and join them.”
He further stated:
“As I approached the barricade, without any provocation, a uniformed police officer stationed behind it Constable Forson, a tall, fair, heavily built officer deliberately struck the left side of my chest with the full force of his right palm, directly near my heart. The impact of the hit dazed me. I was visibly shaken and short of breath. In that moment, I spontaneously protested his conduct, asking why he would seek to harm me.”
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service, following a review of the video footage, has officially written to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, requesting the release of the Minority Leader to assist with ongoing investigations into the incident. A police statement noted that the officer involved will also assist with the investigation.
