By Paul Joseph
The Ghana Police Service has arrested two religious figures over separate videos containing statements authorities said could incite violence and promote hostility against people based on religion.
The first suspect, 35-year-old Imam Masud Abdullah, was arrested in connection with a video in which he allegedly justified violence against anyone perceived to have insulted Prophet Muhammad.
Abdullah was reportedly delivering a sermon at a mosque in Ntensere, in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, when he made the remarks contained in the widely circulated video.
The arrest was conducted in collaboration with Ghana’s National Signals Bureau following investigations into the video.
In the footage, Abdullah allegedly told his audience that killing a person who insulted the Prophet would not constitute wrongdoing and suggested that such an act could earn the perpetrator a place in paradise.
In a separate case, the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team arrested Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei, popularly known as Apostle Daniel JY Adjei, over a video in which he allegedly made derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Muhammad.
The Ghana Police Service said investigations into both cases are ongoing and that the suspects would be subjected to due process.
The arrests come amid growing concerns over the use of religious platforms and social media to circulate statements capable of provoking violence or encouraging attacks against individuals and communities.
The police cautioned religious leaders, preachers, community leaders and social media commentators against using freedom of religion or expression to justify statements that could incite violence.
The service warned that inciting statements could amount to offences under Ghanaian law, stressing that anyone found responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.
The development has also renewed attention on the responsibility of religious and community leaders to prevent inflammatory rhetoric, particularly in an era when sermons and social media videos can reach large audiences within minutes.
Authorities said the ongoing investigations would determine the full circumstances surrounding the statements and guide further legal action.
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