Man Remanded For Insulting President Akufo-Addo2 min read

Presiding over the case, Mr Samuel Bright Acquah ordered that Ankrah be held in police custody until his next court appearance on May 30, 2023. The arrest followed a viral video that caught the attention of the police on May 15, 2023. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong informed the court that Ankrah, a resident of Jamestown, was seen insulting the President in the video.

ASP Oppong emphasized that Ankrah’s arrest was necessary due to the vile nature of the video, which had caused annoyance and agitation among the public. Acting swiftly, the police’s Intelligence Directorate tracked down Ankrah and apprehended him at his hideout in James Town, Accra.

During the investigation, Ankrah admitted to the offense in his cautioned statement and was subsequently charged. However, Mr Yaw Dankwa, Ankrah’s defense counsel, requested bail for his client, arguing that the charge did not align with the facts presented. He claimed that the case appeared to be politically motivated, as Ankrah denied committing the offense upon his arrest. Furthermore, Mr Dankwa suggested that the video in question could have been manipulated, and therefore, Ankrah should be considered innocent until the evidence is thoroughly examined in court.

Describing Ankrah as a responsible father with a two-week-old baby and a supportive wife, Mr Dankwa stated that his client was not a flight risk. He also asserted that Ankrah had individuals of high standing willing to serve as sureties for him.

In opposition to bail, the prosecution appealed to the court to send Ankrah to a psychiatric hospital, citing his statement to the police that he was not mentally stable at the time of the incident. ASP Oppong expressed concerns for Ankrah’s safety, highlighting the potentially dangerous situation he might face in his community due to his utterances in the video.

Regarding the claim that Ankrah was not a flight risk, the prosecution countered by stating that he was residing in an unfinished building and did not have a fixed place of abode. However, Mr Dankwa contradicted this, stating that there were no incomplete buildings in James Town.

The court, after hearing arguments from both sides, decided to remand Ankrah into police custody until the next hearing, scheduled for May 30, 2023. The case has attracted significant attention, prompting discussions about freedom of speech, the appropriate use of social media, and the boundaries of expressing dissent in a democratic society.

Insulting public officials is a serious offense that can have legal consequences, and it remains essential for individuals to exercise their right to freedom of expression responsibly and within the boundaries of the law.