Minister of the Interior, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, has directed the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances under which civilians gained access to an arrested person to assault him while in police custody.

In a statement issued by his Press Secretary and Spokesperson, Julius Kwame Anthony, on August 13, 2026, the minister ordered the IGP to identify any police personnel who may have facilitated, permitted, or condoned the breach of custody, and to take appropriate disciplinary action against any officer found culpable.

The minister further directed the police to take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons involved in the assault, in accordance with the law.

Watch as Muslim cleric slaps pastor in handcuffs at Police headquarters

He also instructed that all supervising officers directly responsible for the custody and supervision of the persons involved be queried.

“The minister further directs the police to deal with the persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour,” the statement said.

The directive follows a viral video in which a Muslim cleric, identified as Sibamay Zakaria, was seen slapping Apostle Daniel Junior Yaw Adjei while the pastor was handcuffed at the Police Headquarters in Accra.

The pastor had also been arrested by the Police Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team for allegedly making derogatory and offensive comments about Prophet Mohammed in a social media video.

'Can you open your mouth in Muslim jurisdiction?' – Cleric confronts pastor

The Ghana Police Service condemned the assault, launched efforts to apprehend those involved, and subsequently announced the arrest of Sibamay Zakaria.

The suspect is currently in custody assisting with investigations and will be processed before court, according to a statement from the police.

The Minister for the Interior has directed the Inspector-General of Police to:

1. Investigate the circumstances under which civilians gained access to the arrested person and identify any police personnel who may have facilitated, permitted or acquiesced in the breach of…

— Julius Kwame Anthony 𓃵 (@fatheranthoni) August 13, 2026