Activist Killian Kofi Komashie has shared his account of being arrested under unusual circumstances, despite not participating in the Democracy Hub’s anti-galamsey protest, which took place from September 21 to 23.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law on October 13, 2024, Mr Komashie clarified that he was involved in Catholic Laity Week activities during the protest and did not attend Saturday's demonstration.

He mentioned that, while absent, he followed the protest updates on social media.

On Sunday, September 22, after attending Mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Mr Komashie said he was on an okada (motorbike taxi) when he noticed demonstrators being pursued by the police near EL-Wak Stadium.

Curious about the situation, he said alighted at the church to inquire further.

He recalled witnessing a chaotic scene, where police officers were dragging a child, and he approached to observe more closely.

"I will tell the entire world why Killian was arrested on Sunday and taken to prison on Tuesday.

“To be honest, I did not take part in the protest on Saturday. I took part in a Catholic Laity week – from Tuesday to Saturday. I went to mass on Sunday. After mass, I got on a motorbike, as I got to St Micheal’s Catholic Church, I alighted from the Okada, I saw a little whose mother was dragging her and the police were also dragging her right in front of the Church. So I went close to the scene. I was bringing out the phone from my bag when a police officer shouted – step off the road which I did quickly. Before I knew it this officer came close to me and started pushing me and I said madam don’t push me. Before I knew it, the male officers surrounded me saying leave here. A gentleman among the police escorted me to Total so I was monitoring from there. Two minutes later, he came back again and said sir they are calling you and I said – I am not coming,” he recounted.

He narrated that as he was convinced to go, immediately he got to where the officers were calling him, immediately I got there they just said “Hey, you are under arrest.”

#StopGalamseyNow Demo: Arrested Democracy hub protesters arrive in court amid heavy police presence.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/PTupURgqET

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) September 24, 2024

Mr Komashie said despite his protest that he had not participated in the demonstration, the officers arrested him, claiming they recognised him from Saturday’s protest based on his beard.

“I said officer under arrest for what? He said for demonstrating – that I saw you on Saturday with your beard. I said what has my beard got to do with that? I did not take part in the protest on Saturday.”

He added that he demanded video evidence of his alleged involvement, which the officers could not provide. After a struggle over his phone, which lasted 10 to 15 minutes, he was eventually taken to the Odorkor police station.

“I was taken to Odokor police cell on that Sunday evening.”

On Tuesday, he noted that he was transported to court in handcuffs as though he was a criminal and subsequently remanded in prison custody​.