The New Force Movement’s spokesperson has been granted bail in the amount of GH20,000 and is compelled to report to the police three times each week.
Ms. Shalimar Abbiusi, a Belgian national, was held by the National Investigation Bureau after being invited as part of the Bureau’s efforts to identify those behind the movement.
Ms Abbiusi was summoned for a talk on Monday, December 4, 2023, and has not been freed since, according to the movement.
Ms. Abbusi appeared before the Kaneshie District Court on Monday to face allegations of fraudulently acquiring a student visa in Ghana through false representations, and she was granted bail.
Dozens of movement followers gathered outside the Court to demonstrate their support for their spokesperson, Shalimar Abbusi.
Wearing the movement’s colors, supporters waved posters and sang slogans in favor of Ms Abbusi.
The same judge remanded her into legal custody on Friday, December 8. The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) was the first to charge her.
The court granted the prosecution a few days to complete its investigation and remanded the accused individual in legal custody to appear in court on Monday, December 11, 2023.
The accused’s lawyer, Mr. Jamal Tonzua, told the court that GIS only intended to violate his client’s rights and that she was entitled to a fair trial under Ghana’s Constitution.
He also said that GIS ought to have finished their investigation before appearing in court.
Mr. Jamal Tonzua requested bail for his client, claiming she posed no risk of escape.
He stated that since the accused person’s passport was registered with GIS, the Service ought to be able to track her whereabouts.
The defendants had individuals of substance to act as sureties, according to the lawyer.