Ghanaian musician, Mohammed Ismail Sherif, popularly known as Black Sherif was reportedly arrested upon arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
He was arrested upon arrival in Ghana for allegedly breaching a contract after performing on some big stages around the world.
According to a company called Cruise People Limited, the Kweku The Traveller crooner received part payment to perform at their musical cruise on a cruise ship on August 19, 2023, in Greece but failed to fulfill some of the contractual obligations.
As news of the arrest continues to spark conversations among Ghanaians and music lovers on various media platforms, The Ghana Report revisits the cases of some other musicians who landed in police handcuffs at a point in their careers.
- Shatta Wale
The popular dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Amarh Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale was first arrested in May 2019 in connection with disturbances that rocked that year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
There was an altercation between the Freedom singer and Stonebwoy that resulted in drawn weapons on the stage.
He was also arrested on October 19, 2021, over a false alarm of a gun attack. He was granted self-recognizance bail after spending a week in police custody.
He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of publication of false news and causing fear and panic when he appeared in court.
Shatta Wale later pleaded guilty and was fined GH¢2,000 by the Accra Circuit Court.
- Stonebwoy
The reggae and dancehall artiste, Livingstone Etse Satekla popularly known in showbiz as Stonebwoy found himself on the wrong side of the law in May 2019.
This came after an altercation between him and Shatta Wale on the stage of VGMA.
The cause of the fight was unknown, but the audience and viewers at home saw Stonebwoy pull out a gun before walking off stage.
Stonebwoy was arrested together with Shatta Wale and detained overnight at the Accra Regional Police Command.
The two were charged with offensive conduct and breach of peace while the Kpokeke singer was charged with the use of an offensive weapon, display of a firearm in public, and threat.
- Medikal
In October 2021, rapper Medikal, real name Samuel Adu Frimpong, was arrested for brandishing a gun on social media.
This was after the rapper posted a video on September 26 of the same year showing off a newly acquired pistol.
He was subsequently remanded into police custody for five days after he pleaded not guilty to one charge of displaying arms and ammunition.
Medikal was convicted and fined GH₵3,600 by the Accra Circuit Court.
- Kwaw Kese
In November 2014, Hiplife musician, Emmanuel Botwe known in showbiz as Kwaw Kese was arrested in Kumasi for smoking marijuana in public.
He was remanded for over a month at the Kumasi Central Prison before he was bailed in December.
The Oye Nonsense hitmaker was processed to court and the Kumasi High Court subsequently sentenced him to a day in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of Gh¢1,200 in April 2015.
- Mzbel
The 16 Years hitmaker known in her private life as Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah was arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command in August 2020.
According to the then Police CID Public Relations Officer, DSP Juliana Obeng the musician was arrested in connection with a petition filed by television personality Stacey Amoateng after Mzbel reportedly said in a radio broadcast that she (Stacey) was HIV positive.
Before that, Mzbel was also arrested in June 2011 for allegedly assaulting an official of the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate(MTTD).
According to police reports, she was in a vehicle with two others when the incident happened.
- Deeba
Popular hiplife musician, Richard Nimo also known as Deeba was arrested by INTERPOL Ghana in January 2013 for defiling his 8-year-old stepchild in the United Kingdom.
Deeba had fled the UK for Ghana five years before the arrest. It followed his stepdaughter’s complaints against him leading to the launching of a police investigation.
British police alerted Interpol and Deeba was arrested and extradited to the UK.
His arrest was however full of drama because of the involvement of ace investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas and his Arabian friend, Sheikh Ibn Abu Talib.
- Daasebre Gyamena
The late Ghanaian musician who was popular for hits like Kokooko was arrested on arrival at Heathrow Airport in 2006 after two kilogrammes of cocaine were found in his luggage.
The substance was valued at about £100,000.
He had claimed he had no clue how the narcotic drugs ended up in his luggage as he was only in London to work on his music.
Daasebre spent 11 months in a UK jail pending the trial.
However, he was never convicted of the crime due to facts suggesting he did not know of the existence of the drugs.
In 2007, he was released from jail after a jury returned a not-guilty verdict in his case.
- Wisa Greid
The Ekikimi crooner was arrested in 2015 after stripping during a live performance at Citi FM’s ‘Decemba 2 Rememba’, and rubbing his manhood against his female dancer on stage.
He was arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court and charged with gross indecent exposure.
Wisa was subsequently convicted and fined GHc 8,400.
- Ohemaa Jackie
Gospel musician Jacklin Sarfo Gyamfua, popularly known as Ohemaa Jacky was arrested in September 2021 for engaging in fraudulent activities.
She was alleged to have defrauded a trader of GH₵150,000 under the pretext of securing her Italian passport and resident identity cards.
The Hakuna Matata singer who doubles as a blogger was also said to have forged two Italian passports for the trader and her infant daughter.
She was eventually remanded in police custody by an Accra Circuit Court.
She was again arrested in February 2022 by INTERPOL in Cotonou, Benin when INTERPOL, Accra sent a signal for her arrest after she fled from her trial in Ghana.
Ohemaa Jacky was nabbed together with her husband, Emmanuel Peprah whiles travelling to London via Paris.
The two were put before a court in Cotonou where they were remanded.