‘The law is the law’: President Mahama on Asake-linked gun arrest
President John Dramani Mahama has ruled out any special consideration in the case of a man arrested for firing a gun at a public event in Accra, making it clear that legal procedures will be allowed to run their full course.
The President’s position was conveyed during a brief but light exchange with Nigerian music star Asake at the Supercar Spectacle Sponsors Appreciation event on December 30, days after the incident sparked public concern and police action.
The suspect, Abubakari Sadick, popularly known as Cyborg, was arrested on December 29 after a video circulated online showing him discharging a firearm during a December in GH event at the El Wak Stadium on December 28.
As President Mahama greeted Asake and members of his entourage at the event, he recalled the incident and asked, “he’s the one the guy fired the gun for?” When those present confirmed this, the President added, “And he ended up in trouble,” triggering laughter among the gathering.
Asake then expressed regret over the incident and sought leniency for the suspect, explaining that the act occurred in a moment of excitement. Acknowledging the plea, President Mahama responded calmly but firmly, saying, “Don’t worry about it. The law is the law.”
The interaction, captured on video and widely shared on social media, shows the President alongside his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye, actor John Dumelo and Asake.
Earlier the same day, the Criminal Investigation Department confirmed the arrest in a statement issued by its Cyber Vetting Team. According to the police, Cyborg was picked up at Adenta for unlawfully discharging a firearm at a public event.
“The suspect, identified as Abubakari Sadick, popularly known as ‘Cyborg,’ was arrested on 29th December 2025 at Adenta for possession and discharging of firearm,” the statement said.
Police said the firearm involved, a Derya MK-12 with registration number 22-GHA-1162, had been retrieved and secured as part of ongoing investigations.
“The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations, and will be put before the court to face justice,” the statement added.
The police further warned that firearm ownership does not confer the right to use weapons indiscriminately, stressing that licences can be withdrawn and offenders prosecuted.
“Possessing a registered firearm does not give the holder the right to discharge it indiscriminately. Firearms licences can be revoked, and the individual can be charged accordingly,” the police cautioned.
The case has reignited debate over public safety during festive events, particularly following the suspect’s reported justification that the shots were fired as a celebratory gesture for Asake, who had arrived in Ghana days earlier to perform at the AfroFuture Festival.
Police sources say the matter was escalated after the video gained traction online, prompting swift intervention by the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and leading to the arrest.
