The Ghana Police Service has come under intense scrutiny over the arrest and continued detention of journalist Samuel Amadotor, a blogger with Dklassgh.net.
According to a statement issued by the police on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, the blogger was arrested for allegedly publishing false information about the former board chair of the National Communication Authority (NCA) and traditional ruler, Okatakye Boakye Danquah Ababio II.
The police said that Samuel Amadotor has admitted to the crime and would be arraigned before the court on Friday, November 21, 2025.
A number of notable Ghanaians, including award-winning investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, have called out the police over its handling of the matter.
Reacting to the statement by the police in a post shared on Facebook on Wednesday, he questioned why the police did not arraign the suspect before the court earlier.
According to him, information he has shows that the police have been keeping the journalist for over 48 hours after his arrest, which is a violation of the country's laws.
“Why have you not put him before the court for this long? Why tomorrow, and not earlier? Some sources close to him say he has been in custody for more than 48 hours. What law allows you to keep a suspect for this long without putting him before the court?
“THIS LAW ON FALSE NEWS SHOULD BE REPEALED. If the person who made the report feels defamed, he can sue the journalist. This law has been abused for too long and we must stop it,” he wrote.
Blogger arrested for allegedly spreading false news about former NCA chair
Before the police issued the statement, Azure, in a post addressed to the Central Investigative Department of the police (CID), indicated that the journalist was arrested over a video involving renowned investigative journalist Anas.
He added that the CID must answer some questions on the arrest, including the reason why the journalist had not been granted bail.
“We are waiting for your statement on the detained journalist. Also, tell us about his other victims apart from the former NCA board chair.
“Sources close to him say he was questioned solely on the Anas video. Is there anything else he did, as alleged? And tell us why you haven't granted him bail,” he wrote.
The Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Edem Agbana, has also called out the police over its handling of the matter.
He noted that the actions of some police officers make President John Dramani Mahama and his government look bad in the eyes of the public, saying, “The overzealousness, unprofessionalism and incompetence of some security officers can cast a shadow over this government.”
He added, “If you arrest a journalist, issue a statement and let the public know what is happening. The president is a friend to the media, and we must never allow someone’s incompetence to give him a bad name. Don’t wait for people to blame the President and the government before you speak.”
View their post plus the police statement below:
It should not take an intel or an inquiry from Manasseh Azure Awuni for us to know the circumstances surrounding the arrest of a journalist or blogger.
— Eric Edem Agbana (@edemagbana) November 20, 2025
The overzealousness, unprofessionalism and incompetence of some security officers can cast a shadow over this government.…
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