Man accused of Impersonating police officer at ShattaFest Concert appears in court

A private security worker has been hauled before an Accra Circuit Court after allegedly dressing as a senior police officer during a major music event at the Black Star Square.

Akoto Nelson, 34, is accused of posing as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) while wearing a police camouflage uniform at the “ShattaFest Concert” on 19 October 2025.

Nelson has been charged with possession of police accoutrements without authority and falsely pretending to be a public officer. He denies both offences.

The trial judge, Jojo Hagan, maintained the accused’s earlier bail conditions — GH¢50,000 with two sureties — after the charges were formally retaken.

According to prosecutors, officers from the Ghana Police Service’s Formed Police Unit (FPU) were on duty at the event when they spotted Nelson in full police camouflage, wearing the insignia of an ASP and presenting himself as one to the public.

The team, led by DSP Alexander Asamoah, arrested him around 1:00 a.m. after he allegedly failed to produce any form of identification or lawful authority permitting him to wear the uniform.

A search conducted at Nelson’s residence reportedly uncovered several items, including:

a toy P99 pistol

pepper spray

two ZTE mini mobile phones

an Xinte cutter knife

two complimentary cards bearing the names of senior police officers:

ACP Christian Tetteh Yohuno (then Deputy Accra Regional Commander)

Chief Supt. C.A. Wlemegah (Director of Transport)

Investigators told the court that Nelson had allegedly been in possession of the uniform since 2022 and had worn it to funerals and other public gatherings to create fear and exert influence.

Police say further inquiries are underway to determine how he obtained the uniform and whether he acted alone.

The case has been adjourned for continuation.