The Member of Parliament for Effutu and Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, has drawn widespread public attention following an incident involving him and a Ghana Police Service officer during the #SaveTheJudiciary demonstration.

The incident allegedly showed the lawmaker visibly angry at a police officer and raising his hand to strike the officer on the head, while standing behind a barricade.

However, the lawmaker, in his defense, clarified that his actions were a response to provocation, claiming that the police officer struck him as he attempted to join his colleagues at Parliament House.

The Effutu MP further explained the physical impact of the officer's strike, "The impact dazed me, and I was visibly shaken and short of breath. In that moment, I spontaneously protested his conduct, asking why he would seek to harm me.

"The inspector facilitating my access, along with other officers, quickly intervened and assisted me into the restricted area, where I had to lean against the wall at the entrance of Parliament House to prevent myself from collapsing," he stated.

The MP also added that; "A national service personnel member from Parliament, whom I know, approached and offered me water. Two CID officers from Parliament also checked on me and assisted me to a nearby security rest room, where I laid down on a bench to stabilise,” he narrated in a statement.

Subsequently, the Ghana Police Service has extended an invitation to the lawmaker to assist in an investigation into the incident.

According to the police, following a review of the incident, the service has written to the Speaker of Parliament requesting the release of Alexander Afenyo-Markin to assist in the ongoing investigation.

"The officer in question will also be assisting with the investigation," the police statement added.

On the back of the incident, Ghanaian critics have heavily criticised and condemned the actions of the lawmaker, urging the police to ensure that the law works.

Netizens pointed out that during the previous administration, protesters demonstrating against the harmful effects of galamsey were arrested and charged with unlawful assembly.

They highlighted what they perceive as a double standard, questioning why the lawmaker's alleged actions appear to be receiving more lenient treatment.

Read some of the posts under the trending topic below:

Dear @NJOAgyemang, as Chair of the Police Council, pls ensure that Afenyo-Markin is prosecuted for assaulting a uniformed officer on duty. Justice must be served—he should lose his seat and be barred from future elections. Imagine it was a civilian who did that. #TheLawIsTheLaw pic.twitter.com/tVRUQNMKk9

— Genuine😘🇬🇭 (@Janicegenuine) May 6, 2025

Afenyo Markin is a lawyer, Saahene of Winneba, Minority Leader and MP and must know that it's wrong to slap a police officer. He must be arrested.

— KOJO DYNAMIC 𓃵 (@AnnanPerry) May 5, 2025

Why would a senior Member of Parliament hit the face of a Police Officer on live TV? Why would he allow himself to do that? Was it an act of self defense? I just don’t understand why Hon Afenyo Markin will do that..This is bad! pic.twitter.com/cH5Pi2ayYC

— Chris Atadika (@chrisatadika) May 5, 2025

Afenyo Markin assaulted a police officer during the save the judiciary demonstration and there hasn’t been a warrant for his arrest yet? But when someone threw away keys people used that to justify his unlawful arrest. Wow wow

— Pazienza✨#StopGalamseyNow (@Bobthebuil19383) May 5, 2025

Mahama’s government is very tolerant paa o because eii Afenyo Markin hmm

Imagine if this was yanom’s era, like order from above is flying in already 😂. Agenda 2099 pic.twitter.com/e6T5Xv13Dl

— WithAlvin 🇬🇭 (@withAlvin__) May 5, 2025

As usual an apology will be issued by Afenyo Markin and that will be all, no sanctions..I feel very sad for the officer and the humiliation this has caused him. https://t.co/IMcGRBnpnl

— Chris Atadika (@chrisatadika) May 5, 2025

We all witnessed what Afenyo Markin did. He has no respect for the profession. He assaulted the officer which is a criminal misconduct. Treat him the same way you’d treat the ordinary Ghanaian who touches an officer. Nobody is above the law!

— Albert Nat HYDE (@1BongoIdeas) May 5, 2025

What a plot twist! So how can someone who almost ‘dazed’ after being hit in the chest have such strength to hit the face of the one who hit him and be screaming after..eeii Afenyo Markin!

— Chris Atadika (@chrisatadika) May 5, 2025

So. Afenyo Markins wan tell we say we no get eyes ? I’m so happy all this was caught on video for we all to digest.

Politicians being called honorable be one of the funny things in our society.

Wei

— Efo Filey 🔑 (@efo_phil) May 6, 2025