This case revolves around Alex Cobbina, a 20-year-old washing bay attendant from Apam, Central Region, Ghana, who found himself entangled in legal trouble for impersonating a military officer and possessing military accoutrements. The incident unfolded when Cobbina, also known as Mobitel, donned camouflage trousers and a naval vest, creating a TikTok video of himself posing as a military officer. This seemingly innocuous act quickly escalated into a serious legal matter when the video caught the attention of the Chief of Naval Staff. The video, which featured Cobbina discussing President Mahama’s statement about dismissing military recruits enlisted through protocol, raised concerns about the unauthorized use of military attire and potential misrepresentation of the armed forces.
Following the discovery of the video, law enforcement agencies swiftly initiated surveillance on Cobbina, ultimately leading to his arrest in Madina, Accra. He was subsequently handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigation. Cobbina’s explanation for possessing the military attire was that a soldier, after having his car washed at Cobbina’s workplace, left behind old military uniforms which Cobbina then kept. He further claimed that his motivation for creating the video stemmed from concern over his senior schoolmates potentially being affected by the President’s statement on military recruitment.
The legal proceedings against Cobbina commenced at the Accra Circuit Court, where he faced charges of falsely pretending to be a public officer and possessing military uniforms and accoutrements. During his initial arraignment on December 20, 2024, Cobbina pleaded guilty to the charges and expressed remorse for his actions, seeking forgiveness from the court. The presiding judge, Mr. Bright Samuel Acquah, convicted Cobbina but deferred sentencing to a later date.
Upon resuming proceedings, Judge Acquah handed down a sentence that reflected the severity of Cobbina’s actions. He imposed a fine of GHC12,000, with a default sentence of three years imprisonment, for the charge of impersonating a public officer. Additionally, Cobbina received a separate fine of GHC6,000, or two years in hard labor if he failed to pay, for the possession of military gear. The court stipulated that both sentences would run concurrently, meaning Cobbina would serve a maximum of three years if he was unable to pay the fines.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, presented evidence to the court detailing the circumstances of the case. The complainants in the case were identified as officers from the Ghana Navy headquarters, highlighting the official concern over Cobbina’s actions. The prosecution’s account underscored the fact that Cobbina’s attire and pronouncements in the video created the impression that he was a legitimate military officer, thereby potentially misleading the public and undermining the authority of the armed forces.
The investigation into Cobbina’s activities also led to the discovery of additional military-related items at his residence in Apam. These included camouflage trousers, a naval inner vest, a camouflage nose mask, and boots. The recovery of these items, witnessed by Cobbina’s employer, Mr. Ernest Baidoo, further solidified the evidence against him. Despite initially denying being a military officer in his caution statement, Cobbina admitted to creating and posting the video, adding that he deleted it the following day, perhaps realizing the implications of his actions. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the legal ramifications of impersonating public officials and unauthorized possession of military paraphernalia. The court’s decision underscores the importance of respecting the symbols and authority of official institutions and the potential consequences of misusing them for personal expression or other purposes. Cobbina’s actions, though seemingly driven by concern for his peers, ultimately led to significant legal repercussions, highlighting the need for responsible social media usage and respect for the law.
