Imam Remanded for Allegedly Threatening to Kill Estranged Wife

n Accra Circuit Court has remanded 44-year-old self-proclaimed Imam Mohammed Lanson Abubakar into police custody for allegedly threatening to kill his estranged wife, Maimuna Sarki Abubakar.

Also known as Andre, Abubakar pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the Court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, detained him after it was revealed that he had jumped an earlier police inquiry bail. Due to this, the police have been unable to conclude their investigation, leading the Court to decide that he should remain in custody to ensure he would appear for trial. Abubakar will return to court on September 2, 2024.

Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer informed the Court that a bench warrant for Abubakar’s arrest had been issued after he failed to appear in court on March 27, 2024. Abubakar, a businessman and self-styled religious leader from Kumasi, was accused of threatening his wife, Maimuna, a Nigerian social worker residing in the United Kingdom.

The prosecution narrated that the two met on social media and eventually married, with Abubakar presenting himself as an Imam. During their marriage, Maimuna purchased a plot of land in East Trassaco and built a house, which she shared with Abubakar during her visits to Ghana.

In 2020, Maimuna also shipped two vehicles—a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2019 Infinity CPX—to Abubakar for him to sell and use the proceeds to purchase land in Adjiringanor. However, the relationship soon deteriorated, with Abubakar allegedly threatening Maimuna, claiming ownership of her property and issuing death threats if she attempted to reclaim it.

Abubakar’s counsel, in requesting bail, argued that he did not jump bail but had been traveling and denied issuing the threats. The couple is also seeking a divorce at the Adentan Court.

The Court decided to remand Abubakar to assist with further police investigations and ensure his presence during the upcoming trial.