The Achimota Circuit Court has granted bail to New Patriotic Party (NPP) activist Mohammed Zakou, who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly spreading false news about the health of Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.
Zakou was arrested on Saturday, April 12, following a Facebook post in which he wrote, “Rest Well Her Excellency”, accompanied by crying emojis — a message widely interpreted as a premature and false report of the Vice President’s death. Government sources had earlier confirmed that the Vice President was unwell but responding positively to treatment.
He was subsequently charged with communicating false news. According to a prosecutor from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), Zakou admitted to making the post but claimed it was intended as a goodwill message.
Appearing in court on Monday, Zakou’s legal team, led by lawyer Gary Nimako Marfo, applied for bail. While the state did not oppose the application, prosecutors requested stringent conditions to ensure the accused remains available for the ongoing legal process.
The court granted bail in the sum of GHC 100,000 with two sureties. Zakou was also ordered to report weekly to the investigator handling the case.
The matter has been adjourned to May 12, 2025, for a case management conference.