A Ghanaian court has sentenced Mohammed Ibrahim, a farmer and self-proclaimed leader of a revolutionary group called “Kanawu,” to four years in prison for spreading false news about the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). Ibrahim falsely claimed that the then IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the then Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, were recruiting fake police personnel to kill citizens during the December 7, 2024, general elections.
The Incident
The claims were made in a viral video posted on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, and TikTok, on September 3, 2024. In the video, Ibrahim wore a red military beret and alleged that the police in the Ashanti Region were involved in these illegal activities. He further threatened to unleash violence during the elections and claimed that he and his cohorts knew where the Minister lived and would shoot him in the event of a war.
The Verdict
The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Mrs. Evelyn Asamoah, found Ibrahim guilty on three counts: publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public, threat of harm, and offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace. He was sentenced to three years each for publication of false news and offensive conduct, and four years for threat of harm. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Ibrahim will serve four years in hard labor.
Reaction
The court’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media, especially during sensitive periods like elections. The Ghana Police Service took swift action after the video went viral, declaring Ibrahim wanted and later arresting him.