Shatta Wale Arrested For ‘Creating Public Mischief’ In Ghana After Alleged Prank
Thousands of Ghanaian nationals have flocked to the Ghana Police Services Facebook page to jeer Dancehall artist Shatta Wale, following news of his arrest for creating public mischief in his home country.
The Blow Up deejay had posted on his Facebook page on Monday, that, among other things, his life was in danger and he was ‘on the run’ and that the Ghanaian police were not assisting him in his time of distress.
Shatta had linked threats on his life to a man he described as “a fake pastor” who had prophesied on a local radio station that he would be killed. However, the Ghana police placed him under arrest hours after he posted the message, which caused panic across his country.
“The Police have arrested Charles Nii Armah Mensah popularly known as Shatta Wale,” the post read. “After we publicly declared him and one other person wanted, the suspect, Shatta Wale, turned himself in today Tuesday 19th October, 2021, at 8.59pm.”
The police also noted that the artist had ‘been arrested to assist them in investigations for his alleged involvement in the creation and circulation of information intended to cause fear and panic”.
“As stated in previous statements, the public is advised to desist from publishing false information, capable of disturbing the peace of the country or risk being arrested and prosecuted,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians galloped to the police department’s Facebook page to jeer, rebuke and recommend punishment for Shatta Wale, with whom they claimed they had grown tired, due to his numerous pranks.
Some of the comments praising the Ghana Police Services for nabbing Shatta, were sheer comedic.
“Because of this arrest, I support Ghana Police Service with 100 bags of cement ,” Krom Ha Asem quipped, while RaYgee DaTin Gyamfi teased: “I feel like donating my kidney to Ghana Police”.
There were others who recommended some rather stiff penalties for Shatta, many of them outside the remit of the police.
“GRA should take over after his arrest and release from the Police. GRA should raise his taxes and this foolishness will stop,” Clem Addo declared.
“Don’t even give him food to eat until tomorrow next. He fool too much. Asap this he made a statement that the government should legalize the LGBTQIA+ question him Abt that one too and bill him accordingly,” Jacques Chirac added.
Others described Shatta as a noisemaker, who records substandard music, which only amounts to noise pollution, claiming they were happy he was being locked up so they could be at peace.
“Jail him 59 years for also producing unwanted and disturbing music… it’s really affecting our health and well-being pls… thank you. Charge: Noise/sound pollution,” Nana Kojo Betadayz mocked.
“Some people wish to enter the Police Cells to witness the conversation between Funny Face and Shatta Wale. Two comedians and noise makers detained. Tomorrow is declared Ghana most peaceful Day. Thank u Ghana Police,” David Nectar Bunbun added, while Samuel Opoku Agyapong agreed, noting that; “Now that the two guys @ Wale and funny are in police custody we can now have noise free tomorrow”.
As the celebrations over Shatta’s arrest continued Teacher Kwadwo had a funny suggestion for the police.
“Ghana Police, this is going to be your most engaged post ever. U for screenshot and frame it,” she quipped.
Others commented on the fact that Shatta Wale looked rather frail in the photograph the police took of him in handcuffs, in which they claimed he was wearing pajamas.
“But why is he looking small here anaa it’s my phone,” untie Eyram Lokko said, while Obaa Kukky added: “He has grown old all of a sudden”.
Some Ghanaians said that the police should beat Shatta, while other compatriots said the police should have waited until Friday to arrest him, so he could spend the weekend behind bars.
However, Bismark Styles contended that Shatta Wale had deliberately made the fake post, as a promotional tactic for the release of his upcoming album.
“Thanks to Ghana police service for this hype for his up coming album. Man this is show bizz. Create the news and disburb them. After all Agraadaa,Owusu bemoan and Funny face all we’re part of this show bizz.,” he said sarcastically.
One commenter, Khing Eric said he was waiting to see the reaction from Shatta’s fans, as she was certain they would defend his actions.
“Hmmmm. I know most of his fans will complain and insult Ghana police forgetting their man lacks common sense,” he wrote.
On Monday Shatta had taken to Facebook, and in a long epistle stated how his life was under threat due to a “false prophet” and that nobody in Ghana cared.
“THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. Psychological, or emotional trauma, is damage or injury to the psyche after living through an extremely frightening or distressing event and may result in challenges in functioning or coping normally after the event,” he began.
“The statement made by this false prophet has gotten me in a mood of violence since no one in this country cares,” he added.
He had also taken aim at the Ghana Police Services claiming they were derelict in their duties. “So the police of this country want to tell me none of them saw those threatening statement online to take Action?”
This pastor said 18th October shatta wale will be shot and you want to tell me you didn’t see from you cyber crime department nor did u hear or came across anything like that online?” he wrote.
“I won’t wait for Ghana police to call my father and tell my father his son got shot this afternoon; I won’t wait for Ghana stupid media houses to spread news to my fans about me being shot because all we wish in this country is for dead people and funerals,” he continued.
He added: “If my life can be threatened and there is no law to take actions on that then I guess I will do what is right in the eyes of God.”
He then went to say that his life had been threatened before and that he had gotten no support. “This is not the first time I have had these threats in this country am now I am going these emotional trauma alone, My dad has even defended me on radio on this same issue .why ? Why ? Ghana ? Why ?”
“Yes ,my life is in Danger and am on the run till this country shows me there are LAWS… To my fans am sorry but I will have to fight this fight alone and get it done… the youths of these country are tired of religiousness ,we know god already and that is that. If this will make me stop music like how many want me to stop, then so be it cuz i am tired of the negativity in this country…”