20-year old fined for impersonating a military officer

An Accra Circuit Court has fined a 20-year-old washing bay attendant for impersonating a military officer after sharing a TikTok video of himself dressed in camouflage trousers and a naval vest.

The accused, Alex Cobbina, popularly known as Mobitel, was ordered to pay a GH¢12,000 fine or face a three-year sentence if unable to pay. He was charged with impersonation and unlawful possession of military uniforms and related items.

Cobbina pleaded guilty and apologized when he first appeared in court on December 20, 2024. The presiding judge, Bright Samuel Acquah, convicted him and postponed sentencing to a later date.

During the sentencing, Judge Acquah fined Cobbina GH¢2,000 for the impersonation charge, with a default prison term of three years. Additionally, Cobbina was fined GH¢6,000 for possession of military gear, with a default sentence of two years of hard labor. Both sentences will run concurrently.

Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, the prosecutor, informed the court that the case was brought forward by officers from the Ghana Navy headquarters. Cobbina worked as a washing bay attendant in Apam, located in the Central Region.

On December 9, 2024, a video surfaced on social media showing Cobbina dressed in military camouflage trousers and a naval T-shirt, claiming to be a military officer. In the video, he commented on remarks attributed to former President Mahama about dismissing military recruits who entered the service through protocol arrangements.

Following the discovery of the video by the Chief of Naval Staff, Cobbina was placed under surveillance and later apprehended in Madina, Accra. He was subsequently handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further questioning.

Cobbina admitted during interrogation that he obtained the military attire after a soldier left the items in a vehicle he had washed. He claimed he recorded the video out of concern for how his senior schoolmates might be affected by the President’s statement.

A search of his residence in Apam, conducted in the presence of his employer, Mr. Ernest Baidoo, uncovered additional military-related items, including camouflage trousers, a naval inner vest, a camouflage nose mask, and boots. These items were confiscated as evidence.

While Cobbina denied being a military officer, he admitted to creating and sharing the video. He also stated that he deleted it the day after posting.