The Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur has described the demonstration staged by residents of Old Fadama as illegal.
Some residents of Old Fadama in the Greater Accra region who were unhappy about a demolition exercise undertaken by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly over the weekend took the streets of Accra on Monday to protest against the exercise.
[contextly_sidebar id=”xcs4B9NjAejcR7sBXGhgAKJ2SwkvULrh”]Personnel of the Ghana Police Service and some media men had to run for their lives after the residents pelted them with stones and chased them with clubs during the protest.
Speaaking on Eyewitness News, DSP Arthur said: “some group of Ghanaians decided not to obey the laws without notifying the Police and then turning the demonstration into a rowdy situation, causing pandemonium and a break of law and order in the area where they held the demonstration.”
DSP Cephas Arthur said about 26 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that they will soon be processed for court to face the full rigors of the law.
“Already investigations have began, some people have been picked up. As far as I know about 25 persons have been picked up and they will be put before court.Investigations is ongoing and our law officers will go through the criminal act and ascribe the appropriate charges to them.”
He also gave the assurance that the Police will live up expectation to ensure that the perpetrators are punished without any political interference.
Protection was lawful
Some security services accompanied officials of the AMA to carry out the demolition exercise in the area over the weekend.
Asked whether it was lawful for the Police to provide security for such an exercise, DSP Arthur responded in the affirmative, saying ” Police are there to enforce the laws of the land. We are there to provide protection and security for people who were undertaking the demolition. Our protection was lawful.”
–
By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah