Two witnesses say a policewoman at Legon has been assaulted by a member of a gang that stormed a disputed land at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to demolish a property.

According to the university’s head of legal services, Fortunate Bio, the gangster slapped an unidentified policewoman while she sat over the counter.

The gang had been rounded up by the police and brought to the station. But they were behaving violently and throwing tantrums, Fortunate Bio explained to JoyNews reporter Komla Adom.

His version of events was corroborated by a businessman, Dr Kwaku Agyapong, who was also assaulted after he tried to stop the gang from assaulting his wife. 

The gang believed the businessman’s wife was recording the activities as they tore down a wall over the disputed property at about 10:30 am Wednesday, he said. Police team was dispatched to the site and they made five arrests.

Dr Agyapong said at the police station, one of the land guards also threatened to kill another police officer.

The legal practitioner at UPSA, Fortunate Bio, said he watched the leader of the gang who claimed his authority from the Lands ministry, threatens to have the police officers transferred.

“This impunity can only have a source” he expressed dismay.

Leader of the gang, Clemence Dzato said he was there to ensure government land was not encroached on. Dzato has said, he was also beaten up by the police who came in and arrested five of his men.

The police commander would not speak to the JoyNews reporter. Fortunate Bio said the commander looked helpless in the emotionally charged atmosphere.

He said while at the station, calls came into the police station to have the suspects transferred to Accra regional police headquarters.

Fortunate Bio and Dr Agyapong found this directive unusual and expressed suspicion, there is an attempt to free the suspects and hush up the matter.