Ghana Police: Sibamay Zakaria Arrested Over Prophet Assault

• The Ghana Police Service arrested Sibamay Zakaria for allegedly assaulting a prophet while in police custody.
• The Ministry for the Interior condemned the assault and directed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate how civilians gained access to the arrested person.
• The incident highlights concerns about religious incitement, unlawful assault on suspects in police custody, and the importance of adhering to due process.

The ministry emphasized that there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person based on religion.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested Sibamay Zakaria, who was captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting a prophet while in police custody. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of suspects in police custody and the need for adherence to due process. According to reports, the prophet was handcuffed at the time of the assault, highlighting the vulnerability of individuals in custody. The arrest of Zakaria comes after the Ministry for the Interior condemned the assault and directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate how civilians gained access to the arrested person while in police custody.

The incident has also raised concerns about religious incitement and its potential consequences. The Ministry for the Interior noted that statements attributed to persons on both sides of a religious dispute, including calls for violence against individuals considered to have offended religious sensibilities, can lead to such incidents. The ministry emphasized that there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person based on religion. In this case, the assault on the prophet was allegedly triggered by alleged inciteful comments concerning Prophet Mohammed.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the breach of custody and identify any police personnel who might have facilitated, permitted, or acquiesced in it. The IGP is also tasked with identifying, arresting, and investigating the civilians involved in the assault in accordance with the law. The Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) is conducting a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The Ministry for the Interior has reaffirmed its commitment to public order, protection of persons in custody, and peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths.

Lawyers should be aware that the incident highlights the risk of unlawful assault on suspects in police custody and the importance of adhering to due process, as emphasized by the Ministry for the Interior.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times