The National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit of the Ghana Police Service has detained 32-year-old Akoto Nelson for falsely impersonating a police officer during a public event at Black Star Square in Accra.
The arrest occurred on Sunday, October 19, 2025, when security personnel at a musical concert noticed the suspect dressed in a police uniform with the rank insignia of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and acting suspiciously. When questioned, he admitted that he was not a police officer.
Further investigation showed that Nelson had disguised himself as a police officer to gain free access to the concert venue, stating that he couldn’t afford the entrance fee. He also revealed that the uniform he wore belonged to a deceased Chief Inspector named Gyasi, whom he had obtained the outfit from in 2022.
A search of the suspect’s residence in Taifa-Ashaiman uncovered several items, which were seized as evidence. These included: one toy P99 pistol, one pepper spray and pouch, two ZTE mini mobile phones and chargers, one Xinfa cutter knife, multiple complimentary cards, a voter ID card with the name Akoto Nelson Elikem, and a birth certificate in the name Nelson Akoto.
Initial findings indicate that the suspect works as a security guard and messenger for a private company. He is currently in police custody assisting with further investigations and will be brought before the court in due course.
