Police Deny Assaulting Ibrahim Mahama | Discuss Ghana

The Ghana Police Service has officially dismissed reports that visual artist and CEO of Red Clay, Ibrahim Mahama, was assaulted by its officers in Tamale on Friday, March 20, 2026.

In a detailed rebuttal signed by DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, Commander of the Special Operations Team, the police characterized the viral claims as "inaccurate and misleading," stating that their intervention actually saved the artist and his companion from a potential mob attack.

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The Police Account: Traffic and Defiance

According to the official statement, the incident was a traffic enforcement matter that escalated due to the behavior of the driver:

Obstruction: Police encountered a commercial coastal bus (GS-7420-22) that had moved into an obstructed position at a three-junction intersection near the Mariam Hotel, causing a total standstill.

Refusal to Comply: Officers directed the driver to reverse to clear the road. The driver reportedly refused all directives, locked his doors, rolled up his windows, and began making "inflammatory and politically charged" remarks.

The "One Life" Remark: The driver reportedly told officers, "I have only one life to live; if you want, you can kill me, I will never move back".

Mob Intervention: Agitated bystanders, frustrated by the gridlock, allegedly threatened to set the vehicle ablaze. Police say they forcibly entered the bus through a rear window specifically to remove the occupants and protect them from the "hostile crowd".

Arrests and Apology

The two occupants were identified as Mr. Ibrahim Issah (the driver) and Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, who are sons of a prominent Tamale contractor, Alhaj Savanna.

Custody: The pair were transported to the Sakasaka Police Station for investigation and detention.

The Video: A video circulating online shows the men in custody. Police clarified that this brief detention was part of the standard procedure following their refusal to obey lawful orders.

The Release: After their father intervened and was briefed on the circumstances, the suspects reportedly did not dispute the facts. They expressed remorse and rendered an unqualified apology to their father and the police team, after which they were released.

Ibrahim Mahama’s Counter-Claim

Despite the police rebuttal, Ibrahim Mahama has stood by his original account:

Hospitalization: The artist remains in a private hospital, citing a broken tooth and facial injuries.

Direct Assault: He maintains that the "Black Maria" team (Special Operations Team) leader was present and that the officers "beat and punched" them without provocation.Evidence Deletion: He continues to allege that officers forced him to unlock his phone to delete video evidence of the encounter.

Parallel Investigations Launched

To ensure transparency, IGP Christian Tetteh-Yohuno has ordered two separate probes:

Criminal Investigation: Conducted by the Northern Regional Police Command into the obstruction and the alleged assault.

Internal Misconduct Probe: Conducted by the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to determine if officers used excessive force or acted outside of protocol.

"There is no evidence connecting the incident to any assault on Mahama... the team swiftly intervened to protect the suspects from mob action." — DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil.