An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced Alex Cobbina, 20, to three years imprisonment for impersonating a military officer and illegally possessing military uniforms and related items. Cobbina, a former washing bay attendant from the Central Region, was found guilty after a video surfaced on TikTok showing him wearing a camouflage trouser and naval vest, falsely claiming to be a military officer.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) initiated the prosecution after monitoring Cobbina's TikTok videos, which contained unsavory comments about the military. Specifically, Cobbina commented on remarks attributed to former President John Dramani Mahama regarding the dismissal of military recruits who entered service through protocol arrangements.
In addition to his prison sentence, Cobbina was ordered to pay a fine of GH¢12,000.
The GAF issued a statement following the sentencing, cautioning the public against using social media to create videos that tarnish the image of the security forces. The statement emphasized the importance of refraining from malicious comments online and warned that those involved in such activities will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
The GAF appealed for public cooperation in maintaining a positive online image of the military, stressing that negative social media content can hinder national development.
