The Ghana Police Service, in collaboration with the National Signals Bureau (NSB), has arrested two men over separate videos containing alleged inciteful and offensive comments concerning Prophet Mohammed.
The suspects have been identified as 35-year-old Masud Abdullah, an Imam, and Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, popularly known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei.
According to the Police, Masud Abdullah was arrested over a video in which he allegedly made statements advocating violence against persons who speak ill of Prophet Mohammed.
The Police said the remarks were allegedly made by Abdullah while delivering a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region.
The arrest forms part of efforts by the security agencies to monitor and respond to public statements and online content considered capable of inciting violence or threatening public peace.
In a related development, the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, also known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei, over a separate video.
The Police said Adjei was allegedly seen in the video making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Mohammed.
Both arrests are currently under investigation, with the Police stressing that the suspects will be taken through due process in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The Police Service has also cautioned religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public utterances.
The Service emphasised that freedom of religion and freedom of expression do not provide justification for statements that encourage violence or urge members of the public to harm others.
“Freedom of religion and freedom of expression must never be used as justification for inciting violence or encouraging members of the public to harm others,” the Police said.
The Police further warned that utterances capable of inciting violence constitute offences and that persons found responsible would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The cases involving Masud Abdullah and Apostle Daniel JY Adjei remain under investigation as the security agencies work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged comments and videos.
