Man seen assaulting suspect at police station not a member of Hajj Board — Pilgrims Affairs Office 

The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has denied reports linking Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria, the man seen assaulting a handcuffed suspect at a police station, to the Ghana Hajj Board.

Alhaji Zakaria, popularly known as Alhaji Papa Angola, was arrested by the Ghana Police Service after a video of the assault went viral and triggered public backlash.

The victim had been arrested on Wednesday, August 12, over alleged derogatory comments against Prophet Mohammed.

His arrest was announced alongside that of an Imam who had allegedly called for violent attacks on anyone who would speak ill of the Islamic founder.

Amid the backlash, reports circulating on social media claimed that Alhaji Zakaria was a member of the Ghana Hajj Board.

However, the PAOG, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, said the claim was inaccurate.

“The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) wishes to state for the record that Alhaji Sibamay Zakaria who is popularly called Alhaji Papa Angola is NOT a member of the Ghana Hajj Board,” the statement said.

The Office further clarified that Mr Zakaria has no official connection to the institution.

“Any reports linking him to the Hajj Board are inaccurate,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the Police Professional Standards Bureau is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how civilians gained access to the suspect while he was in police custody.

The Interior Minister, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has subsequently directed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the breach of custody and identify any police personnel who may have facilitated, permitted or acquiesced in it.