Police in the Greater Accra Region have arrested a 55-year-old man, Theophilus Thompson, in connection with the recent attack on Joy News journalist Latif Iddrisu.
The incident occurred on the evening of May 27, around 7:00 p.m., during a protest outside the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Accra.
The demonstration, sparked by the arrest of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako—popularly known as Chairman Wontumi—drew participation from party loyalists and some Members of Parliament.
Latif Iddrisu, who was on duty covering the protest, was engaging supporters of the NPP who had massed up at the EOCO premises demanding Wontumi’s release when he was struck at the back of his head by a male supporter.
“I have been assaulted by these individuals on live television,” the visibly frustrated journalist stated during his broadcast.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 8, the police announced that Thompson was arrested on Saturday, June 7, at about 5:00 p.m. in James Town.
“Following investigations, on 7th June 2025 at about 5:00 p.m., the Regional Police Command arrested Theophilus Thompson, aged 55, at James Town in connection with the assault,” the statement read.
He is currently in police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.
The police have also assured the public of their commitment to identifying and apprehending other individuals involved in the assault.
The Accra Regional Police Command reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the rights of journalists and ensuring accountability for acts of violence against members of the media and the general public.
Commenting on attacks on journalists, the GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour emphasized the need to defend media freedom and address the alarming rate of attacks on journalists.
He noted that these attacks have been a major drawback to Ghana’s World Press Freedom Index in recent years, but the GJA is poised to reset this narrative.
The GJA has called on all stakeholders, including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, and civil society organizations, to help address the issue of attacks on media practitioners.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has raised concerns about John Dramani Mahama’s capability to lead Ghana, cautioning that his return to power could threaten key policies like the Free Senior High School (SHS) program.
Addressing the chiefs and people of the North-East Region, President Akufo-Addo warned that voting for Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming December 7 general elections could lead to the discontinuation of major initiatives, including the Free SHS policy.
He cited recent statements by Mahama as an indication that the NDC leader might abolish the program if he wins the election.
Akufo-Addo called on Mahama to clarify his position on Free SHS, stressing that Ghanaians deserve transparency on the future of a policy that has positively impacted many students nationwide.
“Let’s ask him [Mahama], which is which? What should the Ghanaian people take as your real position? Because this chopping and changing, chopping and changing, is a very difficult thing for some of us to understand.
“What should we believe? Are you going to change it? Are you going to cancel it? Are you going to improve it? Because every time you open your mouth, you say a different thing.
“I don’t think a man who talks like that, who wants the supreme office of our country, is somebody who can be trusted.”
The court hearing for Donald Trump has been scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Federal agents will be waiting to guard the former president as he flies in on his own jet from Florida to turn himself in.
In relation to a $130,000 (£105,000) payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, a grand jury has indicted Mr. Trump.
The allegations haven’t been made public yet, and Mr. Trump’s attorney claimed on Friday that he hasn’t even read the indictment.
According to a law enforcement source who spoke to CBS, Mr. Trump is anticipated to take his private jet to New York on Monday before turning himself in to authorities on Tuesday.
The process is likely to involve dozens or possibly hundreds of Secret Service agents, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Mr Trump will not be handcuffed, the official added, saying that shackles are typically only used on suspects who are thought to be a flight or safety risk.
The hearing is due to take place at 14:15 local time (19:15GMT).
Mr Trump’s lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told ABC News that Mr Trump will “probably” appear in court on Tuesday, “but nothing is certain”.
Prosecutors “will try and get every ounce of publicity they can from this thing”, he said, adding “the president will not be put in handcuffs”.
“I understand they’re going to be closing off blocks around the courthouse, shutting down the courthouse,” he continued.
Security is being co-ordinated by the FBI, NYPD, Secret Service and New York City court officers.
Sources tell CBS that they are bracing for possible scenarios that include attacks against Mr Trump, prosecutors, jurors or members of the public. The district attorney’s office has received “many threats”, the sources said.
Image caption,Members of law enforcement were seen discussing security near the courthouse on Friday
On Friday morning, the streets around the courthouse were calm but the barricades were going up in anticipation of what may come next week.
Police officers were on patrol and security plans were being put into place. Many expect the area to go into lockdown when the former president attends court.
The district attorney’s office had initially asked Mr Trump to surrender on Friday, according to Politico, but the request was rejected because more time was needed for security preparations.
Mr Trump, 76, denies wrongdoing. He is the first serving or former US president to face a criminal charge.
It is unclear how many charges are contained in the indictment, which is still sealed.
Media reports have said the ex-president faces more than 30 counts related to business fraud and Mr Tacopina said on Thursday he thought there would be 34. But on Friday, he said he did not know how many.
“We know what the subject matter is, we know the basis of the charges. We don’t know the exact counts or how they’re formulated,” he said.
On Friday Mr Trump began attacking the judge assigned to his case in an effort to undermine the credibility of the investigation and rally his base to his defence.
Republicans – including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy – have accused the Manhattan district attorney of weaponising the criminal justice system to influence next year’s presidential election. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green, who Mr Trump recently suggested should run for Senate, called on followers to protest and said she plans to be present in New York next week.
In response, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the charges had been brought by citizens of New York doing their civic duty – and neither the former president nor Congress could interfere with proceedings.
In Washington, the US Capitol Police, which are tasked with safeguarding lawmakers in Congress, said the force believes protests will take place across the country and have plans in place to increase security at the US Capitol.
In 2016 adult film star Stormy Daniels contacted media outlets offering to sell her account of what she said was an adulterous affair she had with Mr Trump in 2006 – the year after he married his current wife, Melania.
Mr Trump’s team got wind of this and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Ms Daniels to keep quiet. This is not illegal.
However, when Mr Trump reimbursed Mr Cohen, the record for the payment says it was for legal fees. Prosecutors say this amounts to Mr Trump falsifying business records, which is a misdemeanour – a criminal offence – in New York.
Image caption,A Secret Service agent guards Mr Trump’s Florida home
President Joe Biden declined to comment on the indictment, despite being pressed on the issue by journalists as he left the White House on a trip to Mississippi.
Mr Tacopina said Mr Trump was being “pursued by a prosecutor who has obviously very diverse political views from the president. So it’s a very troubling case”.
He said the former president was “not worried at all” about the charges.
“He’s upset, angry. He’s being persecuted politically. That is clear to many people, not only on the Right but on the Left.”
