Tiler remanded for insulting President Akufo-Addo

A 40-year-old tile setter, Raphael Okoe Ankrah, also known as Okoe Killer, has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court for insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo.

Ankrah's arrest came after the police discovered a viral video on social media where he was seen using highly offensive language against the President.

During the court session, Ankrah pleaded not guilty to the charge of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace.

Presiding over the case, Mr Samuel Bright Acquah ordered Ankrah to be brought back to court on May 30, 2023.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Maxwell Oppong, Ankrah resides in Jamestown, and on May 15, 2023, the police came across the video where the accused insulted the President.

ASP Oppong stated that Ankrah's arrest was necessary due to the vile nature of the video, which had caused annoyance and agitation among the public.

Following intelligence work, Ankrah was apprehended by the police at his hideout in James Town, Accra.

The prosecution informed the court that Ankrah confessed to the offence during his investigation and was subsequently charged.

Mr Yaw Dankwa, Ankrah's defence counsel, sought bail for his client, asserting that the charge did not align with the facts and had political undertones since Ankrah denied the offence upon arrest.

Dankwa suggested that the video might have been manipulated and emphasized the need for it to be presented and scrutinized in court to establish Ankrah's innocence.

Highlighting Ankrah's family situation, Mr Dankwa described him as a responsible father whose wife had recently given birth, making him a non-flight risk. He also mentioned that Ankrah had individuals of high standing willing to stand as sureties for him.

Opposing the bail application, the prosecution requested that the accused be sent to a psychiatric hospital, citing Ankrah's claim to the police that he was not in the right frame of mind.

ASP Oppong expressed concern for Ankrah's safety in his community based on his utterances in the video and stated that police custody would offer better protection.

Regarding the defence's claim of Ankrah living in an uncompleted building, the prosecution disputed it, asserting that there were no such structures in James Town.

The court proceedings will continue to determine the appropriate legal measures in this case.