Kofi Bentil, a Senior lawyer and Vice-President of IMANI, has said TikToker Camilla Alhassan should not have been criminally prosecuted over her comments against President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Kofi Bentil, the TikToker’s comments are defamatory, arguing against the criminal prosecution.
Reacting to the ruling, Kofi Bentil stated, “What the lady did was defamatory; the remedy is NOT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION! We need to use the right remedies! Stop breaching rights”.
Earlier, Kofi Bentil weighed in on the one-year jail sentencing for TikToker Camilla Alhassan over remarks she made about President John Dramani Mahama.
According to Kofi Bentil, insulting a president is not an offence, and no one must suffer for what they say.
Kofi Bentil argued that Free Speech means nothing if people are jailed for insulting leaders.
In a Facebook post, Kofi Bentil stated, “Insulting a president is not an offence. No one must suffer for what they say! Unless they are guilty of defamation.
Free Speech means nothing if people are jailed for insulting leaders!! Only despots and failed nations do that!”.
His comments come on the heels of TikToker Camilla Alhassan being sentenced to one year in prison by the Accra Circuit Court.
TikToker Camilla Alhassan was sentenced after pleading guilty to offensive conduct and publishing false news over videos alleging, without evidence, that President John Dramani Mahama buried 32 cows to win the 2024 elections.
TikToker Camilla Alhassan was arrested for publishing false news and offensive conduct over videos insulting President John Dramani Mahama.
According to reports, TikToker Camilla Alhassan was put before an Accra Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to charges levelled against her.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has revealed that the TikToker Camila Alhassan, who has been jailed, will be taken to court again over a separate charge.
According to the Police, Camila Alhassan will also be put before the High Court for a separate charge of false communication.
The Ghana Police Service in a statement stated, “The Ghana Police Service has secured the conviction and sentencing of Camila Alhassan, 43, to one year imprisonment with hard labour by the Accra Circuit Court for Offensive Conduct following the publication of offensive and abusive content on social media targeting the President of the Republic, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama.
The convict was arrested on 9th July 2026 through an intelligence-led operation after Police intercepted a TikTok video in which she made offensive, insulting, and derogatory remarks against the President and the First Lady, including threats against their lives and false allegations concerning the President’s private life. The statements were considered capable of disturbing public peace and undermining national cohesion.
Following investigations, convict Camila Alhassan was charged with Offensive Conduct and False Communication and put before the Accra Circuit Court. Although sentencing was initially deferred following her claim that she was pregnant, a medical examination conducted at the Police Hospital confirmed that she was not pregnant. On 16th July 2026, the Court sentenced her to one year’s imprisonment with hard labour.
The Ghana Police Service is also taking steps to put the convict before the High Court on the separate charge of False Communication under the Electronic Communications Act, 2008 (Act 775).
The Ghana Police Service reminds the public that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. that right must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law. The Service reiterates that social media is not a platform for spreading falsehoods, making threats, or publishing unlawful content, and warns that anyone who engages in criminal conduct online will face the full rigours of the law”.
@ghnow_ “This is where Camilla sells her Indomie. Even those of us who have shaken Akufo-Addo’s hand wouldn’t do what she did.” — A man reacts to the sentencing of Camilla Alhassan over false remarks against President Mahama. #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Be very careful with me. That should be your first and last – Bodi MP, Sampson Ahi warns Habib.
♬ original sound – GHnow
