Intelligence reports that, most of the rioters in the violent protest that rocked the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) were not students of the institution, but hired assailants, have been given some credibility with the arrest and prosecution of a 21-year-old man, who is currently on remand.
A Magistrate Court in the Asokore-Manpong Municipality of the Ashanti Region remanded, Akwasi Yeaboa Abel into prison custody for his involvement in the violent protest that rocked the University, leading to the destruction of properties estimated around GH¢1.7 million, including vehicles, CCTV cameras, laptops, computers, among others.
Yeboah, who is not a student of the University was picked by the police during the Students Representative Council-led demonstration against student brutality on the University’s campus on October 22.
National Security reports has claimed that some of the demonstrated were hired from the Kumasi township, while others stormed the school from Accra to take part in the demonstration to set the stage for the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of the school, Professor Kwasi Obiri–Danso.
This according to security sources, explains the massive destruction and stealing of properties during the incident.
Indeed, some of the students were seen wearing masks and carrying items from the school’s administration during the protest. Some were even carrying a pot of banku belonging to the KNUST security, which was on fire before the riot erupted.
Police search on Yeboah, a shoemaker based in Asafo, a suburb of Kumasi, dressed in female artificial hair after his arrest retrieved a knife from his pocket.
Speaking in an interview with Ultimate FM’s Isaac Justice Bediako, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Corporal Prince Dogbatse, said Yeboah, has officially been charged with two different offenses, including rioting with a weapon and carrying an offensive weapon after he confessed he is not a student of KNUST.
The suspect who was remanded into prisons custody by the Asokore-Mampong Magistrate Court is expected to reappear before the court on November 12.
The Police are hopeful to complete their investigations on his involvement in the protest for trial to commence.
Meanwhile, the 21 students who were arrested in connection to the demonstration, have been granted bail to cooperate with police investigation without interference.
The suspects, according to sources, were hired by faceless politicians to cause havoc in the supposed peaceful demonstration.
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