Court grants bail to woman charged over Snapchat claims against Uber driver

An Adenta Circuit Court has granted bail to a 20-year-old woman accused of spreading false claims online about an Uber driver by portraying him as a criminal on Snapchat.

The accused, Promise Yayra Asamani, was admitted to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 with two sureties and is expected back in court on 24 April 2026.

She has denied the charge of publishing false news with intent to cause fear and alarm.

The case began after Selasie Kwaku Anthonio, a 43-year-old Uber driver, reported to the Inspector-General of Police’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team that a post containing his image and vehicle registration number had gone viral on social media. In the post, he was described as a murderer and a thief, with additional allegations that he used signal jammers and carried weapons in his vehicle.

Police say the driver learnt of the post on 10 March 2026 after being informed by his nephew. He later told investigators that the claims triggered a stream of disturbing calls from customers and relatives, while Uber reportedly blocked his account, cutting off his source of income. He also said the publication left him fearful for his safety.

Investigators first arrested Stephanie Asamani, a sister of the accused, at her home in Cambodia, Spintex. During questioning, she recounted a ride she had taken on 9 March from Spintex to Oyibi, with the complainant as the driver.

According to her account, the driver allegedly suggested changing the drop-off location so the trip could continue outside the app. She also claimed he made a phone call in Ewe during the journey, saying he was “bringing the goods” and asking someone to wait. She told police she became alarmed after noticing a rag and a hammer in the boot area of the car, and said the ride ended in a verbal exchange near the Toyota Motors Roundabout, after which she got out.

Police say she later discussed the experience with her sisters and sent the accused a screenshot of the driver’s profile. Two days later, she discovered that the claims had appeared on Snapchat.

According to the prosecution, further enquiries established that Promise Yayra Asamani was responsible for the post. Investigators say the message went beyond recounting suspicion and directly branded the driver a killer.

Police said Asamani did not initially respond to an invitation issued on 12 March and was later arrested on 14 March. During interrogation, she is said to have admitted making the post based entirely on her sister’s narration and acknowledged that she had no proof for the serious allegations she shared online.

She had earlier been granted police enquiry bail on 16 March.

The case has since become another example cited by police in warning the public about the legal risks of publishing unverified accusations on social media. Authorities say such conduct can cause serious harm and remains punishable under Ghanaian law.