SaveTheJudiciary Demo: Tensions Rise as Afenyo-Markin Gets Physical with Police Officer

• Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, got physical with a police officer at the SaveTheJudiciary demonstration in Accra on Monday, May 5, 2025
• The legislator, who was among those spearheading the protest, was faced with strong resistance from police officers who tried to halt their movement
• However, in response, the protest group pushed back, and Afenyo-Markin struck one of the officers on the head, in a video which has circulated online
• In an exclusive interview with Yen.com.gh, a security analyst shared his views on the matter, claiming there’s no justification for the MP’s move

Chaos nearly erupted during the SaveTheJudiciary demonstration when some police officers attempted to stop the movement of the protestors.

The protest, organised on May 5, 2025, in Accra by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and other political parties, was to protest the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.

It also aimed to drum home the need for an independent judiciary and to call for Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo to be reinstated.

The demonstration, which saw hundreds in attendance, started on a good note, but things took a turn when the group decided to march forward. Footage captured Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, striking a police officer at the demonstration.

It is unclear what triggered his action, but reports indicated that the police had set a barrier in front of the judiciary, indicating a clear boundary for protestors.

However, the protestors appeared to believe that they were being restricted by the police officials and decided to cross the perimeter.

The police resisted the move and pushed back, but the Minority Leader, who was in the crowd, got agitated and physical in the process.

He lashed out at the police officer who stood in his way, in an attempt to get him to get out of their way, while others nearby appealed for calm.

Afenyo-Markin defends actions

The Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has broken his silence on the events that led to him allegedly hitting a police officer during the Save the Judiciary demonstration.

In a statement on May 5, 2025, the NPP MP said his action was in response to an earlier violent act allegedly perpetrated against him by the police officer.

Afenyo-Markin then dismissed reports that he abused a police officer during the Save the Judiciary demonstration.

Afenyo-Markin petitions IGP

He has also petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, in the wake of recent events at the Save the Judiciary demonstration.

The Effutu MP claimed the officer, identified as Constable Forson, assaulted him and called for sanctions against the said officer.

Police invite Afenyo-Markin

The Ghana Police Service has, meanwhile, invited the Minority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, in the aftermath of the incident at the Save the Judiciary protest.

The Police, in a statement, said it had written to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, requesting the release of Afenyo-Markin.

The young police officer who was involved in the incident has also been invited to assist with investigations.

At the time of writing the report, the video of the incident had raked in over 2,000 likes and 300 comments.

The Instagram video of the incident is below:

There's no justification for the assault

Speaking exclusively to Yen.com.gh, a security analyst, Mohammed Tagna, criticised the MP for the move.

"The incident involving a uniformed police officer being publicly assaulted by a politician, regardless of the claim of self-defence, raises serious concerns about the authority and integrity of the Ghana Police Service. The police, as a symbol of state security and law enforcement, must not be subjected to public acts of violence, especially by political actors who are expected to uphold the rule of law. "

Reactions to Afenyo-Markin hitting a police officer

Netizens who saw the post of the Minority Leader assaulting the officer were displeased.

Many in the comments section called him out and called for sanctions against the politician.

@illegalLuminary wrote:

"This wise man is beating those armed to protect him. A very dark wise man."

@Kelsarventures wrote:

"A civilian’s eyes would pop out the moment he hit a police man but look at how cool everything is right now as if nothing happened."

@SteveFr69314074 wrote:

"Why can’t the police arrest this criminal afenyo markin. This guy is very disgusting."

@I_amFAVOUR_ wrote:

"They're exhibiting their true colours; hooliganism and lawlessness. I'm not surprised."

@GadzeGodstaff wrote:

"Mr speaker has to release him for an arrest. Inside Adenta."

@VoiceOfAdenta wrote:

"You can do better by posting the video so his constituents see who they voted for."

@AmassRichard3 wrote:

"How? 😡😡😡😡😡 Is he above the law...ah Ghana paaa."

@cybertruckSly wrote:

"@samgeorgegh received the same slap 👋 when they were in power. There’s nothing new here."

Journalist collapses at SaveTheJudiciary demonstration

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that an unfortunate incident happened at the SaveTheJudiciary protest held on Monday, May 5, 2025, in Accra.

A journalist covering the event collapsed. Fellow members of the press and police officers rushed to his aid and carried him away from the crowd.

It is unclear what may have resulted in the incident, but netizens who saw the video had their theories, including blaming it on economic hardship.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh