The Accra Circuit Court has sentenced 43-year-old TikToker Camilla Alhassan to one year in prison after she pleaded guilty to charges of offensive conduct and the publication of false news.
The sentence was handed down on Thursday, July 16, following Alhassan’s admission that she published videos on social media containing unsubstantiated allegations against President John Dramani Mahama.
According to the facts presented before the court, Alhassan falsely claimed in the videos that President Mahama buried 32 cows as part of alleged rituals to secure victory in the 2024 general election.
The claims, which were not supported by any evidence, circulated widely on social media and attracted significant public attention.
Speaking to journalists after the court’s decision, counsel for the convict, Kwadwo Gyamfi Bonsu, disclosed that the court dismissed the charge of electronic abuse.
He explained that the judge ruled the Accra Circuit Court lacked the jurisdiction to determine that particular offence.
Despite striking out that charge, the court convicted Alhassan on the count of offensive conduct after she entered a guilty plea.
She was subsequently sentenced to serve one year in prison.
Mr. Gyamfi Bonsu said the defence pleaded with the court to impose a more lenient sentence.
However, the judge indicated that the increasing number of cases involving the spread of false information and offensive content on social media made it necessary to impose a custodial sentence that would serve as a deterrent to others.
The prosecution was initiated after the Ghana Police Service arrested Alhassan over the viral videos, which authorities said contained false and offensive claims capable of misleading the public.
During an earlier hearing, the court ordered that Alhassan undergo a pregnancy test before sentencing, in line with court procedures.
The conviction adds to growing efforts by law enforcement authorities to address the publication of false information and offensive online content, particularly on social media platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly and influence public discourse.
By 1960news.com
