Three people, including a serving police officer, have been remanded into police custody by the Accra Circuit Court for their alleged involvement in a dramatic confrontation that saw the officer reportedly pull a loaded rifle on colleagues to free a suspect in a narcotics operation.
No. 52620 General Constable Awudu Alhassan Shaban, 31, attached to the Regional Visibility Unit in Accra, is charged with interference with arrest and seizure under Section 49(a) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019).
He pleaded not guilty before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah.
Also in the dock are 40-year-old Joyce Osabutey and her husband, 58-year-old Joseph Amardi, alias “Blackie” or “Ofie.”
They face charges of unlawful control of narcotic drugs and abetment of crime and have also pleaded not guilty.
Confrontation in Adabraka
Prosecutor ASP Issah Achiburi told the court that on July 30, 2025, at about 8:45 a.m., officers from the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) at CID Headquarters conducted an anti-narcotics raid at Adabraka Workers College, near the TUC building, based on intelligence reports.
During the swoop, the officers arrested a young man identified as Buabeng, a student of Accra Technical University, for alleged involvement in drug use and distribution.
As officers attempted to handcuff him, Constable Shaban allegedly arrived dressed in black police trousers and a white singlet, armed with his service rifle — a C-Z model F201010 loaded with 20 rounds.
He is accused of pointing the weapon at Detective Inspector James Brobbey and threatening to shoot unless Buabeng was released. Fearing for their lives, the officers released the suspect. Shaban then reportedly ordered the entire team to leave the area.
However, the officers tactically overpowered him and arrested him at the scene. A search of the premises led to the recovery of 24 wraps of dried plant material suspected to be narcotics, a black police shirt embroidered with “Awudu” and the Ghana Police Service crown, a black helmet, a black muffler, and assorted cigarettes.
Shaban and the seized items were transferred to CID Headquarters and later handed over to the Special Investigations Unit for further inquiries.
Couple Implicated
The following day, investigators returned to the scene with Shaban, who allegedly identified Amardi and Osabutey as operators of the drug base. The couple was arrested.
In her caution statement, Osabutey admitted ownership of the 24 wraps of suspected narcotics, saying her husband sold the drugs when she was unavailable.
Amardi confirmed her statement and further alleged that Shaban regularly visited the premises to smoke marijuana, hashish, and other drugs.
Ongoing Manhunt
The student, Buabeng, remains at large, and police have launched a manhunt for his arrest. The suspected narcotics have been sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
The case has been adjourned to August 18, 2025, for continuation.
