Star Artist Ibrahim Mahama Weighs Legal Action Against Police After ‘Brutal Assault’ in Ghana

Tamale, Ghana — Renowned Ghanaian visual artist Ibrahim Mahama, whose large-scale installations have earned international acclaim at venues including the Venice Biennale and São Paulo Biennial, has announced plans to pursue legal action against members of a police special operations team following an alleged violent assault in his hometown of Tamale on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Mahama, founder of the Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art (SCCA), Nkrumah Volini, and Red Clay Studio in Tamale, claims he and his uncle were beaten by officers from the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, known locally as “Black Maria,” while returning from Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at a mosque. He described the encounter as a “brutal assault” that left him hospitalized with broken teeth, bruised lips, mouth sores, rib pain, and headaches severe enough to force the cancellation of multiple international engagements.

According to Mahama’s account, shared in interviews and a press conference on Monday, March 23, the incident began amid heavy traffic near the Mariam Hotel junction in Tamale. Officers allegedly forced their way through the gridlock in a manner that disrupted other vehicles. When a passenger in Mahama’s bus questioned their actions, the situation escalated. Mahama began recording on his phone.

“They broke into our bus, forced me to open my phone, and deleted the pictures,” Mahama told local media. “From the beginning to the end, everything was an assault.” He alleged that officers physically attacked him and his uncle after he started filming, confiscating and tampering with his device. Mahama displayed blood-stained clothing and visible injuries during his public remarks, stating he had been unable to eat solid food and was struggling with speech and sleep.

The assault has had immediate professional repercussions. Mahama was scheduled to deliver lectures at institutions including the University of Cambridge, Oxford, and the Royal College of Art in London, followed by events in Helsinki, Amsterdam, and South Africa. All have been postponed. “This has put my entire life on hold,” he said.

At the press conference, Mahama emphasized that his decision to seek legal recourse extends beyond his personal case. “It’s not for me alone, but for everyone else,” he stated. “If this could happen to me, as well-known as I am, then what about the people on the street?” He also called for the disbandment of the Black Maria unit, citing prior reports of alleged brutality associated with it, and warned that unchecked police violence could discourage young talent from remaining in Ghana.

Police Deny Allegations, Launch Investigation

The Ghana Police Service and the Black Maria team have strongly rejected Mahama’s claims. In statements issued shortly after the incident, authorities described the encounter as a routine traffic enforcement operation during the Eid festivities that escalated due to “defiant and provocative” conduct by a driver. They denied that the special operations team was involved, asserting that the unit had been withdrawn from the Northern Region days earlier on orders from the Inspector-General of Police.

The Northern Regional Police Command confirmed it has launched a full investigation into the matter and stated that claims linking the Black Maria to the assault are false. DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, associated with the team, maintained that no such assault occurred under their operations. Some police accounts suggested the incident might have involved other individuals rather than officers.

Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf Mboridiba condemned any lawlessness while noting he was unaware of Black Maria activity in the area at the time. “We cannot tolerate this kind of lawlessness in the region, and anyone found culpable will be dealt with,” he said, adding that Mahama holds a diplomatic passport and that an attack on him would not be tolerated. The Regional Security Council is also monitoring the probe.

Support from Arts Community and Officials

The incident has drawn swift reactions from Ghana’s arts sector and some government figures. A joint statement from Mahama’s institutions — SCCA, Red Clay Studio, and Nkrumah Volini — along with allies including blaxTARLINES Kumasi and the Foundation for Contemporary Art – Ghana, described the event as “a disturbing act of police brutality” and highlighted broader concerns about unpunished abuses that erode public trust in law enforcement.

Tourism Minister Abla Dfiza Gomashie expressed support, stating she had discussed the matter with the Minister for the Interior, who assured a thorough investigation. “As a nation that prides itself on upholding justice, human rights, and the rule of law, such incidents must be addressed with the seriousness they deserve,” she said.

Mahama, 2025’s top-ranked artist on ArtReview’s Power 100 list, is celebrated for works that often address themes of labor, trade, and post-colonial infrastructure in Africa. His Tamale-based cultural spaces have become vital hubs for emerging Ghanaian artists.

As the police investigation continues, Mahama’s legal team is preparing to file suit against the officers allegedly involved, framing the case as a stand for accountability and citizens’ rights. Both sides await the outcome of the official probe, which authorities have pledged to conclude and publicize promptly.

This story is developing. Updates will follow as new information emerges from the investigation or legal proceedings.