TikToker Camilla Alhassan Jailed One Year Over False Mahama Claims

TikToker Camilla Alhassan has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Accra Circuit Court after pleading guilty to offensive conduct and publishing false news.

The court handed down the sentence on Thursday, July 16. Camilla admitted to posting videos alleging, without proof, that President John Dramani Mahama had buried 32 cows as rituals to win the 2024 general elections.

Her lawyer, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, told the court that the charge of electronic abuse was struck out because the court said it lacked jurisdiction to try that offence.

On the count of offensive conduct, however, the court found her guilty and imposed a one-year custodial sentence.

According to Mr. Bonsu, the defence pleaded for a lesser punishment. But the court said the rise in such cases meant it had to impose a sentence that would deter others.

The videos went viral online before the Ghana Police Service arrested and prosecuted Camilla. During an earlier hearing, the court had also ordered a pregnancy test to be conducted.