Ibrahim Mahama meets Police Board as assault probe moves to Accra.
Renowned Ghanaian visual artist, Ibrahim Mahama, met the Police Management Board at the Police Headquarters in Accra yesterday to present his account of the alleged assault by police officers directly to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the board.
The meeting follows the transfer of the case from Tamale to Accra, where it is now being handled by the Police Professional Standards Bureau alongside the Criminal Investigations Department.
Allegations maintained
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr Mahama said the decision to move the case to Accra showed the seriousness with which the police leadership was treating the matter.
He added that the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, had assured him that the service would get to the bottom of the matter.
Mr Mahama maintained his earlier claim that the officers involved were part of the IGP’s Special Operations Team.
“We still maintain that. That is why we came to tell our side of the story.
It is now left to the police to investigate and arrive at a conclusion,” he stated.
“We are not looking for money.
Health concerns
Mr Mahama disclosed that he was still receiving medical care following the incident.
He said he had undergone dental treatment and would require further scans in Accra due to limited medical facilities in Tamale.
Despite the incident, he said he held no general grievance against the Ghana Police Service, citing years of cooperation between the police and his cultural projects.
“It is that specific unit we are concerned about.
The police have supported our work over the years,” he said.
He further emphasised the need for restraint by law enforcement officers, especially during confrontations with civilians.
“When officers have more power, they must exercise restraint.
If not, everyone will be at risk,” he said.
He said the outcome of the investigation and any court process would determine the form of justice.
Background
The incident occurred in Tamale on March 21 this year, during the Eid festivities.
Mr Mahama alleged that officers forced their way through heavy traffic, leading to a confrontation with passengers in a bus in which he was travelling.
He said he was filming the incident when officers allegedly assaulted him and his uncle, seized his phone and deleted footage.
However, the police have denied the assault claims.
In a statement, the IGP Special Operations Team described the incident as a routine traffic enforcement operation that escalated due to what it called “defiant and provocative” behaviour by a driver.
The police said the encounter took place near the Mariam Hotel area amid heavy congestion following congregational prayers.
The Police Professional Standards Bureau is leading the internal inquiry while a parallel criminal investigation continues.
