By: Issah Olegor
A shocking case of alleged police extortion and abuse of power has emerged from the Jaman North District in the Bono Region, with credible video and photographic evidence revealing what appears to be a well-coordinated extortion racket run by officers of the Ghana Police Service stationed in the area.
The exposé, submitted by a concerned citizen, suggests that the illegal operation is not limited to a few rogue officers but extends deep into the district’s police command structure.
According to the complainant, what began as a routine stop over a motorcycle helmet infraction quickly escalated into a blatant act of extortion.
The officers, instead of issuing a lawful caution or summons, allegedly demanded immediate payment in cash. When the rider refused and requested a legal receipt, tensions flared.
The situation worsened when he took photographs of the officer accepting the money as evidence.
Moments later, backup officers—allegedly under the influence of alcohol—arrived at the scene, assaulted the complainant, and took him into custody.
He was detained without due process, a move that raises serious questions about the abuse of police authority and the erosion of citizens’ rights in the district.
While in custody, the complainant reportedly witnessed what he described as “a well-oiled extortion network” operating under the command of senior officers.
He alleged that the district’s Crime Officer and other high-ranking personnel routinely direct junior officers to set up illegal roadblocks and checkpoints across Jaman North—not for legitimate law enforcement purposes, but as avenues to extort money from the public.
The illegal activities, according to the complaint, particularly target low-income residents—farmers, traders, and even families transporting sick relatives to hospitals—forcing them to part with money under duress.
The proceeds from these unlawful operations are said to be collected and shared among officers, with junior constables allegedly rendering “financial accounts” to their superiors at the end of each day’s operation.
The complainant’s video and photographic evidence reportedly capture an officer in the act of collecting money from motorists and tricycle riders, a revelation that could serve as critical proof for investigators and anti-corruption bodies.
Calls are mounting for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to launch an immediate and independent investigation into the alleged misconduct.
