Following police brutalities meted out to some demonstrating law students last week, the Students’ Representative Council of the Ghana School of Law has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to probe the matter.

The petition dated October 14 and signed by the President of the SRC, Jonathan Alua said the commission should investigate the police for abuse of power and violations of the rights and freedoms of law students.

At least nine protesters were arrested in a demonstration demanding reforms in Ghana’s legal education system last week Monday.

Police fired rubber bullets and showered protesters with water from their cannons.

The violence began following disagreement over the route of the demonstration.

According to JoyNews’ Komla Adom, the police said they had no information that the protesters would be heading to the Jubilee House, the seat of government.

The police added that the demonstrators had no permit to proceed and resisted the protesters who had gathered at Afrikiko, about a 100 meters away from Jubilee House.

The otherwise peaceful protest turned violent as police fired rubber bullets to disperse them.  

The violence has been condemned but the students want justice.

The SRC of the Ghana School of Law wants the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to:  

“Investigate the actions of the Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP Frederick Adu Anim and his officers in respect of the events of Monday, October 7, 2019 and determine to what extent those actions constitute (i) abuse of power and (ii) violations of the rights and freedoms of law students who embarked on a lawful and peaceful demonstration.

 “Initiate or cause to be initiated disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecution against any police officer or persons found culpable;

 “Take any other appropriate actions consequent upon these investigations,” the petition demanded.

Read more in their petition which has been posted below.