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A 20-year-old washing bay attendant, Alex Cobbina, also known as Mobitel, has been fined GH₵18,000 by an Accra Circuit Court for impersonating a military officer and possessing military uniforms. Cobbina, who pleaded guilty, was convicted on charges of falsely pretending to be a public officer and unlawfully possessing military gear.
The court, presided over by Judge Bright Samuel Acquah, sentenced Cobbina to pay GH₵12,000 or serve a three-year prison term for impersonation. Additionally, he was fined GH₵6,000 or face two years of hard labor for the possession charge. Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Abel Amanie, revealed that the case came to light on December 9, 2024, when the Chief of Naval Staff spotted Cobbina’s TikTok video. In the video, Cobbina wore camouflage trousers and a naval vest, posing as a military officer and discussing a statement made by President John Dramani Mahama about protocol military recruits.
Following surveillance, Cobbina was arrested at Madina, Accra, and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
During the investigation, military uniforms and accessories, including camouflage trousers, a naval inner vest, a camouflage nose mask, and boots, were found at Cobbina’s residence in Apam. Cobbina claimed the items were left behind by a soldier client whose car he had washed. He admitted to making the video to express concerns about how President Mahama’s statement might affect his senior schoolmates but denied being a military officer.
Cobbina deleted the video the day after posting it.
The court convicted Cobbina after his guilty plea and deferred sentencing until January 10, 2025. Judge Acquah imposed the fines, emphasizing the need to deter such behavior. If Cobbina defaults on the fines, he will serve the corresponding prison sentences.
