Omanghana
The Ghana Police Service has arrested 63-year-old Sibamay Zakaria after he was captured in a viral video allegedly assaulting a Christian cleric who was in police custody.
Zakaria is currently assisting investigators and is expected to be arraigned after the necessary procedures have been completed. His arrest followed widespread condemnation of the incident and an earlier announcement that police had launched a manhunt for him.
The detained cleric, identified as Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, had reportedly been arrested over alleged derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Mohammed.
Religious Remarks Trigger Controversy
The controversy began after separate videos involving two religious figures circulated online.
Police arrested 35-year-old Imam Masud Abdullah over remarks he allegedly made during a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region. According to police, the imam allegedly encouraged violence against people who spoke disparagingly about Prophet Mohammed.
Apostle Adjei was arrested in a separate operation after he allegedly made offensive comments about the Prophet in response to the developing controversy.
The situation escalated after another video emerged showing Zakaria approaching the handcuffed Christian cleric and slapping him while he was under police control. The footage generated public outrage and raised serious questions about how a civilian was able to gain access to a detained suspect.
The Ghana Police Service subsequently confirmed Zakaria’s arrest, stating that he would be placed before the court.
Interior Ministry Orders Investigation
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned both religious incitement and the assault of a person in state custody.
In a statement issued on August 13, 2026, the Ministry stressed that no allegation—regardless of its seriousness—gives anyone the right to attack a detained person.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the Ministry stated.
Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka has directed Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the security breach.
The investigation is expected to establish:
- How Zakaria and any other civilians gained access to the detained cleric.
- Whether police officers facilitated, permitted or ignored the assault.
- Whether supervising officers failed in their duty to protect the suspect.
- What criminal and disciplinary action should be taken against those found responsible.
The Police Professional Standards Bureau has also opened a separate inquiry into the conduct of officers on duty. Any personnel found culpable will face the appropriate disciplinary process.
Appeal for Religious Restraint
The Interior Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, violence and attacks on people in lawful custody have no place in Ghana. It urged citizens to avoid retaliation and allow state institutions to investigate the incidents impartially.
The Christian Council of Ghana has similarly condemned the assault while calling on Christians and Muslims to exercise maximum restraint. It warned that the actions of a few individuals must not undermine Ghana’s longstanding tradition of peaceful interfaith coexistence.
Police investigations into the alleged inflammatory remarks and the subsequent assault remain ongoing.
Source: Omanghana
