Shalimar Abbiusi bail ‘ The New Force’ fans storm court for release [video].

Shalimar Abbiusi has been granted GH20,000 in bail and is required to report to the police three times per week. This follows a video of her parents sobbing last week, demanding her release, and accusing the government of kidnapping her.

Hundreds of Ghanaians with placards descended on the Keneshie District Court on Monday, December 11, 2023, to greet Shalimar Abbiusi, the arrested spokesperson for the political movement, after her bail.

On Monday, December 4, a Belgian resident in Ghana was arrested for allegedly using a forged document to obtain a resident permit. She was arrested as part of an investigation into her immigration status within the country. The Immigration Service became aware of her social media activities, specifically her role as the spokesperson for ‘The New Force.’

The arrest occurred in response to an invitation from the Head of the National Enforcement Section at Immigration Headquarters, who sought to address concerns about Abbiusi’s immigration status. According to the investigation, Abbiusi first arrived in Ghana on September 4, 2017, via the Kotoka International Airport and had been a frequent visitor until 2018, when she claimed residency as a student at the Ghana Christian University College. The college, however, discovered that Abbiusi had never been enrolled as a student, and the documents she presented to support her application for a residence permit were found to be forged.

Abbiusi is currently facing immigration-related charges and has been presented in court for remand into immigration custody. Her arrest has sparked heated debate on social media. Some Ghanaians suspect foul play, speculating that the government is attempting to silence the emerging political force before it gains traction.

‘The New Force’ group recently released a video outlining its preparations for the upcoming election. The video highlighted Ghanaians’ challenges under the Akufo-Addo administration, using recent protests to call the leadership’s responsiveness to citizens’ concerns into question.

The social media-driven political movement known for its ‘The Man in a Mask’ campaign has announced that it will soon reveal the face behind the mask and articulate its objectives and goals. ‘The New Force’ expressed gratitude for the growing enthusiasm surrounding #TheNewForce and the public’s desire to be a part of a new vision for change in a social media statement. The movement acknowledged the positive feedback and hinted at the mask’s imminent unveiling, as well as carefully thought-out policy objectives and goals. The statement clarified that contrary to popular belief, no policies had been revealed, and the identity of the Man in the Mask remained unknown.