An Accra Circuit Court has sentenced a tailor to a fine of 1,000 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢12,000, for publishing false information about the Tradition Rice brand on social media.
The convict, Francis Amofa, was found guilty of false publication after the court accepted evidence that he posted a misleading video on TikTok claiming the rice product was fake and dangerous. The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in a 50-day prison sentence.
In addition to the fine, the court ordered Amofa to pay GH¢6,000 as compensation to the complainant and to delete the video from his social media page.
Presenting the facts of the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Nyamekye told the court that the complainant, Dilip Chandwani, is a director of DKC 2015 Limited, the company that imports and distributes Tradition Rice in Ghana, with an outlet at Kaneshie in Accra.
The prosecution said Amofa, a 29-year-old tailor who lives at Botwe School Junction, published the video on January 3, 2026, using the TikTok account name “VIBRATION 148.” The video, delivered in Akan with a voice-over, alleged that the rice was fake, deadly, and would cause deaths within a year if consumed. Viewers were advised not to buy the product.
DSP Nyamekye said the complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to investigations. On January 6, 2026, Amofa was identified as the operator of the TikTok account and arrested at Botwe School Junction. He was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters for questioning.
According to the prosecution, Amofa admitted in his caution and charge statements that the video was not based on any scientific testing or verification. He told investigators that he published the content to attract views and followers to his TikTok page.
By the time of his arrest, the video had attracted more than 800,000 views and about 325 shares, according to police evidence presented in court. The prosecution said this demonstrated the wide reach of the false claims.
Further investigations established that Tradition Rice is a duly imported food product approved by the Food and Drugs Authority and certified as safe for human consumption. The product, the court was told, has a valid FDA registration number.
The prosecution said the false publication negatively affected sales of the rice brand across the country and had the potential to seriously damage the reputation and business of the complainant.
After considering the evidence, the court convicted and sentenced Amofa. The court stressed the need to discourage the spread of false and unverified information on social media, particularly content capable of harming public confidence and lawful businesses.