The Ghana Police Service has justified its decision to caution the Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong who recently intimidated a police officer instead of inviting or arresting him.
A section of the public questioned why the police failed to take stiffer actions against the MP over his impropriety and call him to order.
The Police Service in a statement cautioned Kennedy Agyapong for allegedly obstructing an officer from undertaking his lawful duty on the back of a viral video that showed the legislator gesturing angrily and aggressively towards a police officer at the University of Education, Winneba on Thursday.
But speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Director General of Public Affairs of the Service, ACP David Eklu, maintained that the statement of warning was just to advise the legislator to be of good behaviour.
“We have not invited or [arrested] him, but what we have done is to advise him that this kind of conduct is not acceptable and we are not happy about that.”
“I believe that an advice given publicly goes to everybody. I hope that this thing is not repeated again. From the statement level, [this has ended]. It does prevent anyone to take it up for further action which is within the scope of the law. There have been instances where police have verbally warned people not to obstruct their work and the people get away with it”, he added.
Police caution Ken Agyapong for ‘intimidating’ officer
A day after the incident, the Police indicated that Kennedy Agyapong does not have “the authority to cause the dismissal of a Police Officer without lawful justification and due process.”
The police explained in the statement that, its attention was drawn to the fact that Kennedy Agyapong was seen and heard intimidating a police officer during the student demonstration on the North campus of the University of Education, Winneba.
The Police said the incident has been corroborated by an eyewitness who confirmed that Kennedy Agyapong “in an aggressive mood” told a serving officer that he will make sure that he is dismissed for unknown reasons.
“The Police Administration, therefore, takes strong exception to the behaviour of Mr. Kennedy Agyapong who is a Member of Parliament and advises him to be mindful of his actions towards Police Officers whilst performing their lawful duties”.
Kennedy Agyapong’s misbehaviour
In the video, the MP was seen pointing a finger at an officer.
The video has attracted several comments on social media with many calling for the Member of Parliament to be called to order and even arrested over his conduct.
The Assin Central MP was reportedly at the school as part of a delegation to try and appeal to factions that were protesting on the school’s campus on that day to demand the dismissal of the school’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Afful Broni and reinstatement of some sacked lecturers.
The protest, however, turned violent, leading to the pelting of stones by students and firing of tear gas by the police.
The MP in an attempt to address the situation, reportedly, challenged the authority of the police in dealing with the matter.
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By: Nii Larte Lartey | citinewsroom.com |Ghana | nlartelartey@gmail.com