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Police and students in showdown

The police and students of the University of Ghana are heading for a showdown after a sudden raid in the room of a student leader of the Commonwealth Hall. The police say the former JCR President, Mr Benjamin Brentuo Akyena, was given prior notice before his room was raided on Friday afternoon. Speaking to Joy News, a member of the police search party, ACP Charles Torkoh said the decision to raid Mr Akyena’s room was based on intelligence. He said: “We went in to effect the arrest and then search one Brentuo…well we were able to pick up a computer. We are going to scan the computer. An invitation was thrown to him through his colleagues to come and witness and to give a statement which he has declined.” ACP Torkoh said the search was done in the presence of the University authorities. “The aim was to get information in connection with the malicious letter threatening the university authorities…and I have to add that we have uncovered a lot of information and very soon the press would be briefed on it. We went there with university authorities,” he disclosed. However, Mr Akyena told Joy News that he had no knowledge about the purported search and described the raid as illegal. He stated: “I am so surprised and shocked to contact anybody as to why my room was searched. It is extremely false that the raid was done with my full knowledge. At the time the search was conducted I was at the studios of Joy FM…and I am surprised that an officer of state will lie at such magnitude. They have not spoken to me.” Mr Akyena said he feels threatened and suspects foul play. He said the computer which was picked from his room could be used to frame him in an ongoing investigation into death threats on University authorities. “I feel threatened as a citizen of this country and I am being threatened by the police so I can’t trust them. If the police vested with authority can enter somebody’s room without any search warrant…why should I go back to them again? “I don’t know why my room was searched and I don’t even know why my room should be searched. My documents have been ransacked and as a matter of fact I am restraining myself to touch anything there. It is so clear that they entered the room through the window because I am having the key,” he voiced out. Tension is mounting at the University of Ghana following a raid on the Commonwealth Hall by armed personnel from the Ghana Police Service. Joy News can confirm that the police, wielded guns and batons when they went to ransack the Commonwealth Hall at the University of Ghana and confiscated computers and personal belongings of Mr Akyena. The personal computers are alleged to be containing data in connection with the recent threatening letter to university authorities. On Thursday, a letter written by an unknown group calling itself Militant African Youth Against Neo-colonialism to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Clifford Nii Tagoe threatened to use acid attacks against him and his family, arson on the home, car and office, maiming and kidnapping. Earlier Mr Akyena told Joy News: “I have just been told they have raided my room as a former JCR president. I don’t know the reasons by which the police can come and raid any private individuals home without any information to the person or without a search warrant. This is very bad and it is criminal of the highest order.” Master Akyena said since the police failed to notify him any evidence they will produce can be contested. He said: “We are looking at evidence here and if you go into somebody’s room without the person’s information whatever evidence you present can be contested on the ground that you actually leaked it there without the person’s information.” Meanwhile the riot police are set to be on high alert in anticipation of student attacks.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.