Shocking Video: Police Officer Slaps Detained Pastor, Interior Ministry Demands Action!

A disturbing incident involving the assault of a pastor, Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, at a police facility in Ghana has sparked widespread condemnation and triggered multiple investigations. The pastor had been arrested on Wednesday, August 12, along with Imam Masud Abdullah, by the National Signals Bureau and the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team over separate alleged inciteful and provocative religious comments, some considered derogatory to Islam. A viral video subsequently showed Sibamay Zakaria slapping the handcuffed Apostle Adjei while he was in police custody, an act that has since led to Zakaria's arrest as he assists with investigations and awaits arraignment.

The Zongo Youth of the Diaspora, through its Public Relations Officer Al-Asbat Sidi, was among the first to condemn the assault, describing it as unlawful. Sidi called for Zakaria's immediate arrest and investigation, raising serious questions about how a civilian could gain access to a police facility and assault a person in custody. He also demanded that police officers present during the incident be questioned for allowing such a breach. While condemning the assault, Sidi commended the arrests of both religious leaders, viewing it as a crucial step towards de-escalating tensions and fostering responsibility in Ghana's public discourse, rather than solely an act to appease any religious group. He expressed concern over the increasing use of unguarded and provocative comments on sensitive religious matters, advocating for lawful processes to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Ghana's diverse religious communities.

The Ghana Police Service responded by launching a manhunt for the individual captured in the viral video, strongly condemning the incident and intensifying efforts to ensure the assailant's arrest. Following Zakaria's apprehension, the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the breach of custody occurred and whether any police personnel were involved. The Police Service affirmed that all persons found culpable, whether civilians or officers, would be subjected to due process.

The Ministry of the Interior also issued a strong condemnation of the assault, emphasizing that no allegation of wrongdoing, however serious, grants anyone the right to attack a suspect under the protection of the State. The Ministry highlighted its concern given the preceding statements attributed to persons on both sides of a religious dispute, including calls for violence. Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to conduct a thorough investigation into how civilians gained access to the arrested person, identify any police personnel who might have facilitated or acquiesced in the breach, and ensure appropriate disciplinary action against culpable officers. Furthermore, the IGP was instructed to identify, arrest, and investigate any other civilians involved in the assault and to query all supervising officers responsible for the custody and supervision of the persons involved. The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence, and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana, stressing that no belief or grievance places anyone above the law.

Adding its voice, the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) condemned the assault on the handcuffed Christian cleric at the Police Headquarters in Accra, calling it a violation of human dignity and the rule of law. In a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, the Council warned against allowing the reckless actions of a few individuals to undermine Ghana’s longstanding religious harmony. The CCG categorically condemned both the alleged offensive remarks by Apostle Adjei and the subsequent incitement to violence attributed to Imam Abdullah. It urged Christians and Muslims to exercise maximum restraint, avoid retaliatory actions, and allow state institutions to investigate and prosecute all offenses dispassionately, swiftly, and strictly according to law, without being swayed by religion, creed, or public sentiment. Citing constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and laws against provoking a breach of peace, the Council appealed to the public to refrain from interfering with ongoing investigations and to protect Ghana's tradition of peaceful interfaith coexistence.

As investigations continue, Sibamay Zakaria remains in police custody, with legal proceedings expected to follow. Three suspects, including Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, Imam Masud Abdullah, and Sibamay Zakaria, have been arrested in connection with the various incidents. The directives from the Interior Minister to the IGP underscore a firm commitment to ensuring accountability for the breach of custody and guaranteeing that both civilians and police personnel who have violated the law are dealt with appropriately and without fear or favor.