TikToker jailed over false claims about Mahama to face fresh High Court charge — Police

The Ghana Police Service has announced that TikToker Camila Alhassan, who was sentenced to one year imprisonment with hard labour for offensive conduct, will be arraigned before the High Court on a separate charge of false communication under the Electronic Communications Act.

The Police said the fresh prosecution follows investigations into videos the 43-year-old published on TikTok, in which she allegedly made offensive and abusive remarks against President John Dramani Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama, while also making false allegations and threats.

Camila was convicted by the Accra Circuit Court on Thursday, July 16, after pleading guilty to offensive conduct following her arrest on July 9 through what the Police described as an intelligence-led operation.

"The Ghana Police Service is also taking steps to put the convict before the High Court on the separate charge of False Communication under the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775)," the Police said in a press release issued on Friday, July 17.

According to the statement, Camila was initially charged with offensive conduct and false communication after police intercepted a TikTok video containing what it described as offensive, insulting and derogatory remarks against the President and the First Lady, including threats against their lives and false allegations about the President's private life.

The Police said sentencing was initially deferred after Camila claimed she was pregnant, but a medical examination conducted at the Police Hospital confirmed she was not pregnant, paving the way for the court to impose the custodial sentence.

"The Ghana Police Service reminds the public that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, that right must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law. The Service reiterates that social media is not a platform for spreading falsehoods, making threats, or publishing unlawful content, and warns that anyone who engages in criminal conduct online will face the full rigours of the law," the statement cautioned.