Man fined GH₵18,000 for impersonating military officer on TikTok, possessing uniforms

An Accra Circuit Court has fined a 20-year-old washing bay attendant for impersonating a military officer by wearing camouflage trousers and a naval vest, posting a TikTok video of himself.

Alex Cobbina, also known as Mobitel, was fined GH₵12,000, with a three-year prison sentence in default.

He was charged with falsely pretending to be a public officer and possessing military uniforms and accoutrements.

Cobbina pleaded guilty and sought forgiveness when he was first arraigned on December 20, 2024.

The court convicted him and deferred sentencing to today.

Presiding Judge Mr. Bright Samuel Acquah imposed the fines, sentencing Cobbina to pay GH₵12,000, or serve three years in prison, and an additional GH₵6,000 fine or two years in hard labor for the charge of possessing military gear.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, told the court that the complainants were officers from the Ghana Navy headquarters, while Cobbina worked as a washing bay attendant in Apam, Central Region.

On December 9, 2024, the Chief of Naval Staff spotted Cobbina on social media, dressed in military camouflage trousers and a naval T-shirt, posing as a military officer.

In the video, Cobbina was heard discussing President Mahama’s statement about sacking military recruits taken through protocol means.

After surveillance, Cobbina was arrested at Madina, Accra, and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigation.

Cobbina claimed that a soldier client had left old military uniforms in his car after washing it, which he kept.

He also mentioned that he made the video because he was concerned that his senior schoolmates might be affected by the President’s statement.

During the investigation, military-related items such as camouflage trousers, a naval inner vest, a camouflage nose mask, and boots were found at Cobbina’s residence in Apam.

The items were recovered in the presence of his employer, Mr. Ernest Baidoo, and were kept as evidence.

In his caution statement, Cobbina denied being a military officer but admitted to making and posting the video.

He also said that he deleted the video the following day.