A shocking incident involving a serving police officer allegedly pulling a loaded rifle on his colleagues to forcibly free a suspect in a narcotics case, has landed three people before the Circuit Court 11 in Accra.
No. 52620 G/Cpl. Awudu Alhassan Shaban, a 31-year-old police officer with the Regional Visibility Unit in Accra, is facing a charge of interference with arrest and seizure, contrary to Section 49(a) of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020 (Act 1019).
Shaban, who appeared before Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah on Thursday, pleaded not guilty.
He is standing trial with two others – a couple, Joyce Osabutey, 40 and Joseph Amardi, also known as “Blackie” or “Ofie”, 58 – who are facing related charges, including Unlawful Control of Narcotic Drugs and Abetment of Crime.
The Shocking Confrontation
According to the brief facts presented by Prosecuting Officer ASP Issah Achiburi, on July 30, 2025 around 8:45 a.m., officers from the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (DLEU) at CID Headquarters acted on intelligence and stormed the Adabraka Workers College area, near the TUC building, for an anti-narcotics operation.
During the raid, officers arrested a young man, later identified as Buabeng, a student of Accra Technical University (ATU), who was allegedly involved in the use and trade of narcotic substances.
As officers attempted to handcuff Buabeng, G/Cpl. Shaban reportedly dressed in black police trousers and a white singlet suddenly appeared at the scene wielding his service rifle, a C-Z No. F201010 loaded with 20 rounds.
In a dramatic turn, he allegedly pointed the weapon at Detective Inspector James Brobbey and threatened to shoot, if the suspect was not released. Fearing for their safety, officers released the suspect on the spot.
Shaban reportedly ordered the entire police team to vacate the area. However, the officers tactically overpowered him and he was arrested at the scene.
A subsequent search at the location led to the discovery of 24 plain rubber wraps of dried plant material suspected to be narcotics, a black police shirt embroidered with the name “Awudu” and the Ghana Police crown, a black helmet, a black muffler and various types of cigarettes.
Shaban and the seized items were transferred to the CID Headquarters and later handed over to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for further investigation.
Further Arrests and Confessions
The next day, police returned to the scene with Shaban, who pointed out Joseph Amardi and Joyce Osabutey as the owners of the narcotics base. The couple was arrested.
In her caution statement, Joyce Osabutey admitted ownership of the 24 rubber wraps of suspected narcotics and claimed her husband sold the drugs when she was unavailable.
Amardi corroborated her story and further alleged that the accused officer, G/Cpl. Shaban, frequently visited the premises to smoke marijuana, hashish and other narcotics.
The student, Buabeng, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
The seized substances are to be sent to the Police Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
All three accused persons have pleaded not guilty and have been remanded into police custody. The case has been adjourned to August 18, 2025, for continuation.
Meanwhile, Buabeng remains a wanted man as police continue their investigation.
