Woman behind New Force video, Shalimar Abbiusi arrested

legal action has been taken against Shalimar Abbiusi, a 30-year-old Belgian national, in the District Court of Kaneshie, Accra. Abbiusi, who is one of the spokespersons for a new political group called The New Force, is facing charges related to the alleged falsification of documents to obtain a resident permit in Ghana.

The charges brought against Abbiusi by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) are in violation of section 52 (1) (i) of the Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573), specifically “Obtaining for Yourself a Student Permit by False Declaration.”

The GIS asserts that Abbiusi falsely declared herself a student of the Ghana Christian University College in the Greater Accra Region on or before September 23, 2023, with the intention of evading legal requirements. The accusation further states that she knowingly made a false declaration, which led to the acquisition of a student permit with the number 0088754.

The legal proceedings were initiated by the Ghana Immigration Service on December 6, 2023, and the case is currently under the jurisdiction of the District Court in Kaneshie, Accra.

Abbiusi’s arrest occurred after she was invited by the Head of the National Enforcement Section at the Immigration Headquarters to address concerns about her immigration status in Ghana. The Ghana Immigration Service became aware of Abbiusi’s activities through social media, where she introduced The New Force political group and identified herself as its spokesperson.

Investigations have revealed that Abbiusi initially entered Ghana on September 4, 2017, through the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and had been a regular visitor until 2018 when she claimed to become a resident based on her supposed admission to the Ghana Christian University College.

However, further checks from the college confirmed that Abbiusi had never been a student, and the documents supporting her application for a residence permit were found to be forged.

The ongoing investigations aim to uncover the full extent of the issues surrounding the emergence of The New Force political group.

Abbiusi has been charged with the offense and is currently appearing before the court. The prosecution has requested her remand into Immigration custody to facilitate further investigations into the matter.

In response to Abbiusi’s arrest and detention, The New Force, the political movement she represents, has expressed deep concern. In a press release issued on December 7, 2023, the group alleges that Abbiusi was arrested on December 4 and has been held in custody by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) without formal charges.

They claim she was denied access to legal representation, subjected to an unlawful search of her premises, and held beyond the legal 48-hour limit.

The New Force contends that Abbiusi’s arrest is politically motivated and constitutes an abuse of power. They criticize the government for vandalizing their billboards, describing it as an act of “cowards” and individuals who have “lost the moral plot of leadership.”

The press release, which lacks a physical address on its letterhead apart from social media handles, calls on Ghanaians to be vigilant and demand a different kind of politics, promising a “New Ghana” under their leadership. The group also emphasizes that the international community is closely monitoring the situation and expects a swift and just resolution.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh