A Circuit Court in Accra has fined a 20-year-old washing bay attendant GH₵12,000 for posting a TikTok video of himself impersonating a military officer
In the video, Alex Cobbina [alias Mobitel] was wearing camouflage trousers and a naval vest.
Mobitel was fined GH₵12,000, with a three-year prison sentence in default. He faced charges of impersonating a public official and unlawful possession of military attire and accoutrements. He pleaded guilty and sought forgiveness when he first appeared before the court on December 20, 2024.
The court presided by His Honour Bright Samuel Acquah sentenced Cobbina to pay GH₵12,000 or go to prison for three years. He was fined an additional GH₵6,000 or two years of hard labour for possessing military military attire and accoutrements. Cobbina is to serve both sentences concurrently.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Abel Amanie revealed that the plaintiffs were officers from the Ghana Navy headquarters. Cobbina on the other hand works as a washing bay attendant in Apam within the Central Region.
The Chief of Naval Staff spotted Cobbina on social media, dressed in military gear, posing as an officer on December 9, 2024.
In the video, Cobbina was discussing an alleged statement of President Mahama intending to sack military recruits taken through protocol means.
After surveillance, Cobbina was arrested at Madina and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigation. Cobbina revealed that his client who was a military officer had left old military uniforms in his car after washing it, which he kept.
He asserted that he made the post out of concern for his senior schoolmates who he claimed might be affected by the alleged statement.
During the investigation, military-related items such as camouflage trousers, a naval inner vest, a camouflage nose mask, and boots were found at Cobbina’s residence. These items were recovered and kept as evidence in the presence of his employer, Mr. Ernest Baidoo.
In his caution statement, Cobbina denied being a military officer but admitted to making and posting the video.
He added that he deleted the video the following day.
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